Russia takes on Nicaragua in Krasnodar's near-sellout friendly match
Russia will face Nicaragua in a friendly match on Friday, March 27, at Krasnodar Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. local time, with tickets nearly sold out for the 33,000-capacity venue. Fans can still secure seats, with prices ranging from 5,000 to 40,000 rubles. Head coach Valery Karpin has named a 31-player squad for the friendlies against Nicaragua and Mali. Among them, Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvey Safonov—a Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate—will start in goal. Karpin confirmed Safonov's selection, highlighting his experience despite the absence of any Russian players currently in Europe's top leagues.
The pre-match entertainment will feature a Cossack choir performing the national anthem. Singer Miravi will also take the stage to sing the folk classic *Kalinka* before kickoff. Krasnodar's Stanislav Agkatsev and Valentin Paltsev are also part of the squad. The match marks a rare opportunity for local players to represent the national team in front of a home crowd.
The friendly offers Russia a chance to test new talent ahead of future competitions. With Safonov in goal and a near-capacity crowd expected, the game will provide a lively atmosphere. Remaining tickets are available for those looking to attend the event.
