On May 11, 2018, the head coach of the Russian national football team Stanislav Cherchesov announced a preliminary expanded list of candidates for participation in the 2018 World Cup. This list includes 35 players, 28 of whom were called up to the pre-tournament training camp. This was reported on the official website of the Russian Football Union (RFU).
During the control games, as well as three official matches at the 2017 Confederations Cup, Stanislav Cherchesov got the opportunity to try many football players in different positions. Some players performed well, while others did not. Some tried and played to the limit to show the highest level, some just played as best they could, not giving their best. Based on the results obtained, a preliminary list was drawn up.
Football players called to the pre-football training camp in Novogorsk:
- Akinfeev Igor - goalkeeper from CSKA;
- Gabulov Vladimir - goalkeeper from Club Brugge;
- Gazinsky Yuri - midfielder from Krasnodar;
- Golovin Alexander - midfielder from CSKA;
- Granat Vladimir - defender from Rubin;
- Dzhanaev Soslan - goalkeeper from Rubin;
- Dzagoev Alan - midfielder from CSKA;
- Dzyuba Artem - forward from Arsenal;
- Erokhin Alexander - midfielder from Zenit;
- Zhirkov Yuri - midfielder from Zenit;
- Zobnin Roman - midfielder from Spartak;
- Ruslan Kambolov - defender from Rubin;
- Kudryashov Fedor - defender from Rubin;
- Kuzyaev Daler - midfielder from Zenit;
- Ilya Kutepov - defender from Spartak;
- Lunev Andrey - goalkeeper from Zenit;
- Miranchuk Alexey - forward from Lokomotiv;
- Miranchuk Anton - midfielder from Lokomotiv Moscow;
- Neustadter Roman - defender from Fenerbahce;
- Rausch Constantin - Dynamo defender;
- Alexander Samedov - midfielder from Spartak;
- Andrey Semenov - defender from Akhmat;
- Smolnikov Igor - defender from Zenit;
- Smolov Fedor - forward from Krasnodar;
- Tatashev Alexander - midfielder from Dynamo;
- Fernandez Mario - CSKA defender;
- Chalov Fedor - forward from CSKA;
- - Denis Cheryshev is a midfielder from Villarreal.
For various reasons, the following players of the Russian national team were not summoned to the training camp:
- Guilherme Marinato - goalkeeper from Lokomotiv;
- Glushakov Denis - midfielder from Spartak;
- Zabolotny Anton - forward from Zenit;
- Ignatiev Vladislav - defender from Lokomotiv;
- Dmitry Kombarov - defender from Spartak;
- Dmitry Poloz - forward from Zenit;
- Shvets Anton is a midfielder from Akhmat.
There are 35 names in total, but not all players will be included in the final squad. Only 23 football players will be selected for the official application for the 2018 World Cup, of which 3 are goalkeepers. The final list should be announced by June 4th. Only those players who are included in the extended list can be included in the final list.
It is difficult to say which of all these players will become the main squad of 11 players. The decision will be made by Sergei Cheryshev based on his experience, knowledge and the level of football that the players will show. One thing is known: Igor Akienfeev, the goalkeeper of CSKA Moscow, will be at the goal of the national team.
Strong play, trying to get into the starting list is shown in defense by Neustadter, Kudryashov, Kutepov, Fernandez and Zhirkov, in midfield - Golovin, Kuzyaev, Dzagoev, Samedov and the same Zhirkov. Fyodor Smolov will most likely be in the attack as the most stable footballer, who is also in great shape.
The preliminary list is large enough to force the players to compete with each other in different positions. However, the level of most of the players is not high, there are no obvious football stars in the list.
There is also no team leader. It is likely that during the qualifying matches there will be a player who can become the captain of the national team in the upcoming championship.
Another negative side is the lack of teamwork. Football players in control games are constantly acting in different roles, and this does not give any opportunity to play in the main positions.
The home World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15 in eleven cities of Russia. Extensive preparations were made in these cities: new stadiums were built and old stadiums were reconstructed, and numerous infrastructure facilities were erected.
Our team in its group stage will play against the national teams of Egypt, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia according to the draw for the final part.
