By: Carolina Herrera
As hosts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia qualified automatically, and is in Group A, along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Uruguay. Russia, lead by Stanislav Cherchesov, the Russian National Team Coach, will play their first match of the entire World Cup against Saudi Arabia on June 14th 2018. The other two opponents they face are Egypt on June 19th and Uruguay on June 25th. Although the 2018 FIFA World Cup is less than two months away, no announcement has been made by the Russian Football Federation about which twenty-three players will be representing their country. Nevertheless, Igor Akinfeev, the captain of the national team and the goalkeeper is expected to make the list. Additionally, in an article published by FIFA.com, earlier this month, Fyodor Smolov, another potential member of the World Cup team and termed “Russia’s most consistent striker,” states, “I’m ready to take on more responsibility for Russia.” Smolov has become a versatile striker, scoring five goals for the Russian national team in 2017, more than any other player, and topping the Russian Premier League scoring charts in the past two seasons. When he was asked by FIFA.com if he is playing the best football of his career he replied “Hardly,” as he says he is “planning to peak at the World Cup.” It is safe to say that Igor Akinfeev and Fyodor Smolov are two members sure to make the team. As for the rest of the team members representing Russia at the World Cup, it is predicted that an official announcement about the players selection will be made between May 10th and 15th.
Sources:
Arshad, Rauf. “Russia World Cup 2018 Squad & Possible Lineup.” TOTAL SPORTEK. March 17, 2018. Accessed April 20, 2018. https://www.totalsportek.com/football/russia-squad-world-cup/.
“Fifa World Cup Russia 2018 | Минспорт России.” Schedule | 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Accessed April 20, 2018. http://welcome2018.com/en/matches/.
FIFA.com. “Smolov: I’m Ready to Take on More Responsibility for Russia.” FIFA.com. April 23, 2018. Accessed April 23, 2018. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2018/m=4/news=april-23–fedor-smolov-interview-2940562.html.
