Football in Russia

Russian football history is divided in two periods – till USSR broke up and after this. Now professional and amateur football in Russia is governed by Russian Football Union, which is founded in 1912 year. The National football team of Russia represents the country in international football tournaments. In FIFA World Cup best achievement of Russian national football team is forth place in 1966 year. The national team have more achievements in UEFA European Championship – one 1st place in 1960 and three times finished 2nd. Russia is ranked in 12th place in FIFA all-time table.

Each year Russian Football Union organize two national football tournaments named:

Russian Cup
Russian Super Cup

Russian Cup is knock-out football tournament where participate all professional and some of amateur football clubs in the country. Depending on league where play clubs enters in tournament in different stages. For example clubs from Premier League enters in 1/16 final stage. The winner of the Russian Cup qualifies for UEFA Europa League if is not already registered for UEFA tournament. Russian Super Cup is a single match tournament between champion of Russia and winner of Russian Cup.

Russian football league system is built by 3 professional football leagues named:

Premier League – highest football division in Russia formed by 16 clubs is named
National Football League - second-highest football league in Russia – 20 clubs
The third-highest division is Professional Football League which is split in 5 groups according geographical position (West, Centre, South, Ural-Povolzhye and East). Clubs in this 5 groups vary from 9 to 22 in different groups.