Recent press reports have stated that Russia is seeking to organize a tournament this summer featuring high-level national teams that did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

This initiative aims to pressure the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to lift the sanctions imposed on it due to the war in Ukraine, in an attempt to break its sports isolation and reaffirm its presence on the global football stage.

The preliminary plan indicates that the tournament will feature a good number of teams, estimated to include between 8 and 12 national teams, with all matches to be held entirely on Russian soil.

According to reports, the main goal of organizing this tournament is to create a symbolic platform to reintegrate Russia into international competitions, away from the dominance of FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).

This move represents an attempt to create a parallel football scene that could change the dynamics of the global football landscape if officially adopted and implemented. Russia is preparing to extend invitations to several countries to participate in this emerging tournament.

According to sources, there is speculation about the possibility of inviting prominent national teams, with names such as Cameroon, Nigeria, China, Chile, Serbia, and others being mentioned as potential candidates to participate in this alternative tournament.

The participation of teams with such footballing caliber would add significance and attention to the proposed event, despite the major political and legal challenges that the participating parties may face.