No More Russian Club Players at 2026 World Cup After Mexico and Brazil Eliminated

Russian Club Players Exit 2026 World Cup Following Knockout Losses

According to Главком: Every footballer affiliated with Russian clubs has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their national teams fell in the Round of 16. Mexico, featuring Lokomotiv Moscow defender César Montes and Dynamo Moscow midfielder Luis Chávez, lost 3–2 to England. Brazil, represented by Zenit Saint Petersburg players Douglas Santos and Luiz Henrique, suffered a 2–1 defeat against Norway. Paraguay, with Dynamo Moscow defender Juan Cáceres in their lineup, was edged out 1–0 by France.

Quarterfinal Matchups

The quarterfinal stage kicks off on July 9 at 23:00 Kyiv time, with France facing Morocco. Notably, Morocco secured their spot by defeating Canada in a 2026 World Cup playoff match, where Unai scored a brace and Rahimi hit the crossbar from outside the box.

In the Round of 16, France overcame Paraguay thanks to a penalty awarded after a VAR review. The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Gustavo Gómez fouled Désiré Doué. Kylian Mbappé converted the spot kick into the bottom-right corner, sending the French through. As a result, no Russian club players remain in the tournament, setting the stage for intense and unpredictable matches ahead.

The absence of Russian club players at the 2026 World Cup highlights the challenges Russian football faces on the global stage. Early exits for these teams could impact the sport's development in Russia and intensify competition among other nations. The upcoming quarterfinals promise thrilling battles between elite teams, offering exciting moments for fans worldwide.

The absence of Russian club players has set the stage for a fiercely competitive quarterfinal round. As the tournament progresses, the focus now shifts to the upcoming matches, including the highly anticipated clash between France and Morocco. For a deeper look at the quarterfinal matchups and what fans can expect, check out our detailed analysis of the quarterfinal fixtures.