sport news Russia make their return to international football in Iran amid Vladimir ... trends now Russia face Iran in their first game outside of the old Soviet Union since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, with the nation banned by UEFA from participating in the Euro 2024 qualifiers Russia were hosted by Iran in an international friendly in Tehran on Thursday The nation is banned from Euro 2024 by UEFA following the invasion of Ukraine Russia were thrown out of last year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar amid the invasion By Michael Pavitt For Mailonline Published: 17:16 GMT, 23 March 2023 | Updated: 17:16 GMT, 23 March 2023 Viewcomments Russia have made their return to international football by playing a friendly against Iran in Tehran. The match marks Russia's first outside the borders of the former Soviet Union since president Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Russia were thrown out of last year's FIFA World Cup following the invasion, with governing body's FIFA and UEFA suspending the nation's membership. The ongoing sanction has ruled Russia out of competing in the Euro 2024 qualification campaign, which begins on Thursday evening. Last autumn, Russia played friendlies in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, both goalless draws, and in Kyrgyzstan, where they won 2-1. Russia are set to host Iraq at home, on Sunday, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. They have also been invited to take part in the Central Asian FA Championships in June. Russia played Iran in a friendly in Tehran with the nation banned from the Euro 2024 qualifiers Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility