Uefa is poised to prevent Russian teams from returning to international football following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recent decision to provisionally lift the country’s suspension from global competition.
Fifa has signaled it may reconsider its ban on Russian teams, imposed after the invasion of Ukraine four years ago. The organization stated on Tuesday that it would “analyse the decision before deciding on next steps” positioning Uefa for another potential confrontation with the global governing body.
While Uefa has not made an official statement, sources from various national associations indicate that the likelihood of Russian teams rejoining European football, and by extension the World Cup, remains slim. Despite the World Cup being a Fifa event, the European qualifying rounds are overseen by Uefa. Many leading associations in Western Europe, including those in England, Germany, and France, strongly oppose Russia’s reintegration.
Three years ago, Uefa abandoned plans to allow Russian teams to participate in youth competitions after facing backlash from over a dozen member associations. The organization is wary of repeating that experience, especially as Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin seeks re-election next year and is unlikely to jeopardize his support.
Fifa, however, appears more amenable to allowing Russia back into the fold. President Gianni Infantino has expressed support for the nation’s return, maintaining close ties with Vladimir Putin. Infantino collaborated with him to host the 2018 World Cup in Russia and facilitated a Russia under-15 boys’ team’s participation in a youth World Cup in Azerbaijan this October.
In February, Infantino told Sky News that Fifa would consider reintegrating Russian teams, stating, “This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred,”
Even if Fifa were to take the unusual step of allowing Russia to compete in World Cup qualifying through another confederation, as Israel does in Europe, this might not resolve the issue. European teams could still threaten to boycott the World Cup if Russia were to qualify.
The situation surrounding Russia could further exacerbate the growing rift between Fifa and Uefa, particularly after a recent public clash over Fifa’s disciplinary committee’s controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s suspension before the USA’s last-16 World Cup match against Belgium. Uefa accused Fifa of violating “a red line” that undermined the integrity of the World Cup, prompting a rebuttal from Fifa with accusations of hypocrisy.
The IOC’s recent decision to lift the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which had been in effect since October 2023, allows for Russian athletes and teams to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Previously, only 27 Russian athletes participated in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris and the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina after undergoing scrutiny to ensure they did not publicly support the war in Ukraine. With this suspension lifted, it is likely that several hundred more Russians could compete in the LA Games.
While the IOC has emphasized that individual sports can make their own decisions regarding Russia, there is no possibility of Russian teams participating in football at the 2028 Games, as qualification tournaments have already commenced. Uefa has refrained from commenting on the matter.
