A triangular friendly in Sochi will mark a notable November for three national teams. Russia, Peru and Chile are scheduled to play a closed series of matches in the Russian city as part of Chile’s year‑end friendlies.
Chile has organized these fixtures as part of a renewal process after a poor qualifying campaign. New coach Nicolás Córdova will use the matches to begin rebuilding and to evaluate new faces in an international setting following the end of the qualifiers.
Russia, excluded from the World Cup by international football authorities because of the war in Ukraine, will host the games in Sochi. Peru will also travel to the Russian resort city for the event. Russian organizers have already promoted the friendlies with a poster featuring leading players from each squad — notably including Arturo Vidal as part of Chile’s representation, despite uncertainty about whether Córdova will call him up.
Schedule
– Chile vs Russia — 15 November 2025, Sochi
– Chile vs Peru — 18 November 2025, Sochi
Additional comments and context
– For Chile: these closed matches are a real opportunity for the new coaching staff to test tactical ideas and give playing time to younger or recently uncapped players without the pressure of public qualifiers.
– For Russia: friendlies in Sochi give the team valuable competitive minutes and help maintain cohesion despite their exclusion from major tournaments.
– For Peru: the fixtures provide a chance to fine‑tune options and keep competitive rhythm late in the year.
Logical note
Holding the matches in Sochi creates a neutral, single‑venue bubble that simplifies logistics and may reduce travel fatigue for the visiting teams. Organizing closed friendlies also allows coaches to focus on experimentation and player assessment away from the full media scrutiny of open fixtures.
Short summary
Chile will play two closed friendlies in Sochi in November 2025: against Russia on the 15th and against Peru on the 18th. The matches are part of Chile’s attempts to reboot its national team under Nicolás Córdova after disappointing qualifiers; Russia and Peru will join the host city for the triangular series, with Russian organizers already promoting the event.
Hopeful angle
While results matter, these friendlies offer a constructive reset: they can accelerate the integration of new talent, help the coaching staff establish a clear identity, and give players a low‑pressure environment to grow—positive steps for any national program rebuilding for the future.