Soccer-Russia host Iraq in first home match since invasion of Ukraine

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Russia v Iraq - Gazprom Arena, Saint Petersburg, Russia - March 26, 2023 General view outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Igor Russak

(Reuters) - Russia's men's team will host their first match on home soil since November 2021 on Sunday, a friendly against Iraq in St Petersburg, having been kicked out of international competition because of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Both European soccer body UEFA and global football's governing body FIFA decided in February, 2022 that all Russian teams - national or club sides - would be suspended from participation in their competitions following the invasion.