In February 2022, FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement announcing the exclusion of the Russian national team from the 2022 World Cup and at the same time the suspension of the participation of all Russian teams in international football competitions “until further notice.”
FIFA President Infantino wants to lift the ban on Russian football (Photo: Getty).
Last weekend, during his visit to London for the Women’s Champions Cup, Infantino told Sky Sports that, given the current circumstances, lifting the ban on Russian football should be considered first at youth level.
Infantino said: “We must consider the return of Russian football to international competitions. Undoubtedly. This ban did nothing. Allowing Russian boys and girls to play football in other European countries could have a positive impact. That’s what we need to do, at least at the youth level.”
Earlier, in 2023, UEFA softened its policy, allowing Russian teams under 17 to participate in international tournaments. However, this decision was quickly reversed after strong protests from many member federations.
Infantino has repeatedly expressed his support for Russia’s return to international football. At the UEFA congress last April, the FIFA president said he hoped for the reintegration of Russian football “into the world football picture” as this “means that all problems will be resolved.”
Recently, the Russian national team has been playing friendly matches (Photo: Getty).
According to the plan, the UEFA Executive Committee will meet later this month. It is this body that is authorized to make decisions and control the possibility of returning Russian football to competitions organized by UEFA.
Despite the suspension of participation in official competitions, Russian football has recently continued to actively develop thanks to friendly matches at the international level.
Additionally, on December 17, the FIFA Council announced plans to organize a new football festival for under-15 players, with a boys’ tournament scheduled for 2026 and a girls’ tournament for 2027. The press release confirming the FIFA Council’s decisions emphasized that these events would be “open to all 211 FIFA member federations.”
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