Russia is reportedly exploring a wild idea: hosting its own international football tournament next year — right alongside the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The competition would feature nations that failed to qualify for FIFA’s main event, according to Chinese outlet Sohu, citing 365Scores.
In the report, Russia’s Football Union (RFU) is said to be drafting an early framework for the event. Since Russia was banned from all FIFA and UEFA competitions following the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the RFU is allegedly seeking ways to regain leverage and visibility on the international stage. A “parallel” tournament, critics say, could be an attempt to pressure global governing bodies into softening sanctions.
Primary Source: Championat (Leading Russian Sports Media)
https://www.championat.com/football/news-6247908-rfs-planiruet-sozdat-turnir-dlya-sbornyh-ne-vyshedshih-na-chm-2026-365scores.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
■ Possible participants: the “almost made it” nations
The proposed guest list reads like a mix of respectable sides who narrowly missed qualification and teams who crashed out early:
- 🇷🇸Serbia
- 🇬🇷Greece
- 🇵🇪Peru
- 🇻🇪Venezuela
- 🇳🇬Nigeria
- 🇨🇲Cameroon
- 🇨🇳China
Depending on the final European playoffs, 🇮🇹Italy or 🇩🇰Denmark could theoretically be added as well — something that has raised plenty of eyebrows.
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■ Chinese media unusually excited
While many fans around the world have mocked the concept, Chinese media surprisingly welcomed it.
According to Sohu, such a tournament would give China’s men’s national team a rare opportunity to appear in a “major event” after failing to reach the World Cup again.
The article even suggested that the competition would benefit coach Shao Jiayi’s rebuilding project, claiming China could “finally face strong international opponents in an official setting.”
They added there should be “no concern” about Russia refusing to invite China.
■ But the whole idea may never leave the planning stage
Sources close to the situation say the RFU’s proposal is still nothing more than a concept.
There is no active push, no confirmed talks with other federations, and no indication that European clubs — who already struggle with overloaded schedules — would release players for a non-FIFA tournament held during the World Cup.
Still, the idea of a “B-side World Cup” running parallel to the real one has stirred global debate, ranging from curiosity to total disbelief.
Whether Russia actually goes through with it remains extremely uncertain — but it would unquestionably be one of the strangest football events ever attempted.
“Social Media Reactions”
“Who’s even gonna watch this? 💀”
“If India joins, the viewership would literally beat the real World Cup just by population numbers.”
“Bro… India barely watches football.”
“Nah they’d watch. Nobody’s skipping a clown-show tournament like this 😂”
“Good luck broadcasting this in the West. Anything ‘Made in Russia’ is basically radioactive now.”
“Even if Zelensky agreed to a ceasefire, FIFA still blames Russia for the war, so nothing changes lol.”
“Maybe people watch if Italy somehow shows up… but c’mon, there’s no way Italy signs up for this.”
“‘Italy and Denmark might get an invite’ — bro Russia talking like they’re handing out golden tickets 💀”
“This is rough, man.”
“Weak teams beating other weak teams… what’s fun about that?”
“Even in this bargain-bin World Cup, China’s going out in the group stage.”
“Add North Korea and Iran for maximum chaos.”
“Iran actually qualifies for the real World Cup, though.”
“This feels like the sports equivalent of those low-budget TV shows airing opposite the Super Bowl.”
“So this is the Discount World Cup?”
“If it’s free on YouTube I might actually watch it ngl.”
“Honestly… kinda wanna watch this 🤣”
“Countries that hate Russia won’t touch this. Even scraping together 16 teams sounds impossible.”
“Israel is gonna make the semifinals just because everyone else refuses to join 😂”
“Europe’s only guaranteed attendee here is Serbia… maybe Belarus if they need filler teams.”
“Even Serbia wouldn’t wanna poke the political hornet’s nest over something this dumb.”
“Isn’t FIFA gonna lose their mind over this?”
“They absolutely will.”
“Why tho? Isn’t it basically a friendly tournament?”
“Bro it’s literally happening during the actual World Cup. That’s like spitting in FIFA’s face 💀”
“So… is this the Losers’ Cup? Like a tournament to find the ultimate worst nation?”
“Even for a ‘worst team tournament,’ this lineup is mid. Real bottom-tier teams are like Montserrat or Bhutan.”
“There’s a Confucius Peace Prize?? Bro what 💀”
“So basically only countries that openly support the invasion get invited? That’s gonna be a short guest list.”
“Russia desperately wants to stay in UEFA but UEFA wants nothing to do with them. They won’t go to AFC either.”
“‘Italy and Denmark could get a chance’ — Russia talking like they’re doing them a favor.”
“Honestly India and China should just get their own World Cup since they’re huge but never qualify lol.”
“This whole thing cracks me up. Let them play, man. Even losers need a place to vent.”
“Italy & Denmark players hearing this: ‘If we lose, we get sent to Russia?! Play like your life depends on it!!’”
“FIFA snapped over the Super League. They’d vaporize this idea in seconds.”
“Russia’s broke right now. They can’t afford a shadow World Cup. Even their citizens struggle
to pay energy bills.”
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“Tajikistan might join just for the free trip, but good luck getting any Central American or African teams to travel to Russia right now.”
“Hungary would probably join. They’re still huge Putin fans.”
“Only if they’re ready to get banned by UEFA forever.”
“Honestly, instead of this nonsense, they should just make a ‘Best XI of teams that failed to qualify’ and do an exhibition match.”
“China must be thrilled. They finally get to play in a ‘major’ tournament with their buddies.”
“Let the group-stage losers from the real World Cup join this one, like the Europa League for national teams.”
“How exactly is this supposed to ‘pressure’ FIFA? It’s just a friendly tournament with extra steps.”
“This won’t even reach the ‘pressure from FIFA’ stage. Russia doesn’t have the money or players willing to show up.”
“Clubs would hate this. Imagine your star player getting injured in a fake World Cup right before preseason.”
“Goalkeepers throwing long passes into their own net would be peak entertainment ngl.”
“Winning this tournament has zero value.”
“Exactly. It’s just a stress-relief event for teams that failed.”
“China calling this ‘great news’ is wild. Have some pride, guys.”
“Russia won’t return to international sports unless the regime changes. Even North Korea has better chances lol.”
“Russia, Serbia, Greece, Peru, Venezuela, Nigeria, Cameroon, China… plus maybe Italy or Denmark? At least it’ll be a chill tournament with no pressure.”
“Track and field and figure skating already made their own ‘alternative’ events after bans. Football is just late to the party.”
“If Italy joins, anything but winning is humiliating. They’d have to go 7–0 in every game.”
“I’d honestly pay to see clubs refuse to release players. That drama alone would be better than the tournament.”
“Russia literally can’t afford this. They can barely afford electricity for their people.”
“This is gonna end up as a 6-team tournament max. And four of them will be Russia’s closest political friends.”
“Honestly a ‘World Cup for Eliminated Countries’ would be fun… but not when Russia is organizing it 💀”
“China really acting like they finally got their big moment lmao.”
“Imagine winning a fake trophy with Putin smiling in the background. Peak dystopia.”
“This whole idea feels like when a kid doesn’t get invited to a birthday party and makes their own ‘cooler’ party.”
“Russia and China should just make their own World Cup and call it the ‘BRICS Cup’ or some nonsense.”
“No way FIFA lets Italy or Denmark anywhere near this. They’d get banned instantly.”
“It would be hilarious if Italy lost the playoff and immediately received a ‘special invite’ from Russia.”
“Clubs would absolutely riot if their players get injured at this stupid tournament.”
“The only way this tournament is fun is if every team plays with meme rules.”
“Own goals only, last man standing, sudden-death penalties… I’d watch that.”
“Winning gives you absolutely nothing except getting roasted online.”
“China saying it’s ‘clearly good news’ is the funniest part of this entire story.”
“Even North Korea has a better chance of rejoining global sports than Russia right now.”
“This whole thing is so unserious that it actually loops back around and becomes entertaining.”
“Imagine the final: Russia vs China in front of 12,000 confused spectators.”
“This is basically the Dollar-Store World Cup.”
“If Russia wants leverage, this ain’t it. FIFA won’t blink.”
“Honestly the fake trophy is gonna look like it was bought from Amazon for $29.99.”
“They should host it in a random Siberian town just for the vibes.”
“If they stream it on YouTube with chaotic fan commentary, it might accidentally become iconic.”
“Half these teams won’t even send their A squad. It’s gonna be reserves and semi-retired dudes.”
“This is just Russia trying to pretend they’re still relevant.”
“Eliminated Nations Cup sounds like a video game side quest.”
“Imagine the memes when someone lifts the fake trophy with Putin smiling behind them.”
“The real losers are the clubs who have to deal with injured players afterward.”
“Russia definitely wants revenge on FIFA, but this ain’t the way.”
“This whole event is gonna cost money Russia simply doesn’t have.”
“If they somehow pull it off, I’m watching every match ironically.”
“This is the most ‘Fine, we’ll make our own World Cup!’ energy I’ve ever seen.”
“Honestly, if they allow mic’d-up players and drama, this might beat the Nations League.”
“Picture this: Russia wins their own fake tournament and acts like it’s the real thing.”
“All jokes aside, this will never happen. Zero money, zero legitimacy, zero support.”
“At least it gives us meme content for weeks.”
“This is the funniest football idea of the year. 10/10 would watch.”
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