Russia is poised for comeback as FIFA announces huge step to lift international football ban | Football news
Russia could move closer to a return to FIFA competitions after football’s governing body confirmed that all 211 member associations have been invited to the FIFA Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan later this year. The move represents the clearest sign yet that FIFA has begun to reinstate Russian teams after more than four years of exclusion following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.While Russia’s senior men’s and women’s national teams remain suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has also indicated that the organization is ready to reconsider the wider ban, arguing that the continued isolation has not achieved its intended objectives.
Why was Russia banned from international football
FIFA and UEFA have jointly suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from official competitions in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The decision immediately removed Russia from the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-offs and has since kept the country out of every major international competition, including UEFA Euro 2024, the UEFA Nations League and the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.The suspension also extended beyond the senior sides, with Russia’s youth and women’s teams disappearing from FIFA and UEFA competitions. Russian clubs were also excluded from continental tournaments.Despite these sanctions, Russia’s FIFA membership was never suspended, meaning the country remained one of FIFA’s 211 member associations throughout the ban.Over the past four years, Russia has continued to play international friendlies, mainly against nations outside of Europe, including Trinidad and Tobago and Burkina Faso during the most recent international window.
FIFA invites all member associations to the new Under-15 tournament
The first significant step towards Russia’s return could come in October when FIFA stages its inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan between October 22nd and October 31st.In the announcement of the contest, FIFA has confirmed that every member association has been invited.“The first edition will be open to men’s teams from all FIFA member Associations, the second part in 2027 will include only girls’ teams,” FIFA said.“From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with their U-15 boys’ and women’s teams in two separate competitions.”Although FIFA did not expressly list Russia in its announcement, reports from Reuters, DPA International and other outlets indicate that Russia and Belarus are included among the invited participants.If confirmed, it would mark the first time since 2022 that a Russian team has competed in a tournament organized by FIFA.The move follows FIFA’s gradual attempts to reinstate youth football. The governing body had previously lifted the suspension affecting Russia’s Under-17 boys and girls teams, although those sides remained absent from UEFA and FIFA youth competitions after several European football associations, including Ukraine and England, continued to boycott matches involving Russian teams.
Infantino wants Russia back in international football
At the beginning of the year, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, openly acknowledged that the organization is ready to review the suspension of Russia.“We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred,” said Infantino.“Having girls and boys from Russia able to play football matches in other parts of Europe would help.”His comments represent the strongest indication that FIFA is exploring ways to gradually restore Russian participation, starting with youth football before addressing the future of senior national teams.
Russia welcomes FIFA’s latest decision
Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev has welcomed FIFA’s invitation to the Under-15 tournament, describing it as an important breakthrough after more than four years on the sidelines.“We welcome FIFA’s decision to allow the Russian national team to participate in the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, which will be held in Azerbaijan in October 2026,” he wrote on social media.“This is an important step to bring Russian teams back into international sport.”For Russia, the invitation represents the country’s first return to a FIFA event since hosting the senior men’s World Cup in 2018.
The senior return remains uncertain
Despite the development, the Russian national teams remain suspended indefinitely from FIFA and UEFA competitions.No timetable has been announced for the lifting of these sanctions, and Russia remains excluded from senior international official football while the war in Ukraine continues.The invitation to Azerbaijan thus represents only a limited return through youth football rather than a full reintegration.
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