Danil Kurgovoi comments on Russia's chances at the World Cup

Danil Kurgovoi comments on Russia's World Cup chances

According to Championat.

Context

CSKA player Danil Kurgovoi stands out as an optimistic voice for the Russian team, believing that the change in the format of the 2026 World Cup could benefit the team. His experience and skill on the field will be crucial in helping Russia overcome the challenges posed by the suspension of international competitions and prepare for the tournament that promises to be a watershed moment for Russian football.

Why this matters

Danil Kurgovoi's expectations for the Russian team at the 2026 World Cup reflect the hope of many fans for a positive performance, especially with the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams. The possibility of advancing in the competition is a relief at a time when Russia faces restrictions in international competitions, limiting their playing opportunities. The tournament, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada, represents a crucial chance for Russia to re-establish itself on the world football stage.

Main conclusions

• Danil Kurgovoi comments on Russia's chances at the World Cup.
• Danil Kurgovoi believes that the Russian team would have a good chance of advancing to the 2026 World Cup.
• «Из группы точно вышли бы». Данил Круговой — о шансах сборной России на ЧМ.

CSKA player Danil Kurgovoi did not hesitate to state that he believes the Russian team would be able to overcome the group stage at the 2026 World Cup. With the change in the format of the tournament, which will now feature 48 teams, Kurgovoi was optimistic in his statements. "I think that with this new format, with more teams participating, we would have a good chance of getting out of the group stage. After that, it's a knockout game and the idea is to stay in the competition for as long as possible, perhaps even being able to win on penalties, if necessary", said the player to TASS, reflecting on his expectations for the tournament that will be held in June and July 2026, in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, the situation for the Russian team has been complicated, as all the country's teams, including the national teams, are suspended from international competitions due to decisions by FIFA and UEFA, in response to the current situation in Ukraine. This suspension has limited the team to only friendly matches, which makes it difficult to prepare for a tournament of such importance. Despite the difficulties, Kurgovoi and his teammates are focused on staying in shape and looking for opportunities to show their potential on the field. The 2026 World Cup promises to be an interesting challenge, not only due to the increase in the number of teams, but also because of the chance for a new generation of Russian players to stand out on the world stage. The World Cup is a showcase for talent, and with the change in format, Kurgovoi and his colleagues have the opportunity to show that they can compete at a high level, even in the face of adversity. The expectation is that by then, the team will find a way back to international competitions and be able to fight for aplace among the best in the world. Therefore, Kurgovoi's words resonate not only as hope, but also as a reminder of the resilience of sport, where resilience is often the key to success. It now remains to see how the team will prepare for this challenge and whether it will be able to overcome the barriers that kept it away from the international scene.

What happens next

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the Russian team will need to find ways to prepare adequately despite current limitations. Kurgovoi and his teammates should focus on friendlies to stay in shape and develop team chemistry. Russia's performance in the group stage will be key in determining whether the team can advance and potentially make a memorable run in the tournament.