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 competitions.
Fifa has signaled it may reconsider its ban on Russian teams, which was put in place after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago. On Tuesday, the organization stated it would “analyse the decision before deciding on next steps” setting the stage for another potential conflict with Uefa.
While Uefa has not yet publicly commented, sources within various national associations have indicated that there is little chance of Russian teams being allowed back into European football, and consequently, the World Cup. Although the World Cup is organized by Fifa, the qualifying process for Europe is managed by Uefa. Major European associations, particularly in England, Germany, and France, remain staunchly opposed to Russia’s return.
Uefa had previously been forced to abandon plans to reinstate Russian teams in youth events three years ago due to backlash from numerous member associations, and it is determined to avoid a repeat of that situation. Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin, who is seeking re-election next year, is unlikely to jeopardize his support base.
In contrast, Fifa appears more amenable to the idea of allowing Russia back into the fold. Fifa President Gianni Infantino has expressed a willingness to welcome back Russian teams, maintaining a close relationship with Vladimir Putin, with whom he collaborated to host the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Infantino has also facilitated a Russia under-15 boys’ team competing in a youth World Cup this October in Azerbaijan.
In February, Infantino remarked to Sky News that Fifa would consider reintegrating Russian teams. He stated, “This ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred,”
Should Fifa make the drastic move of permitting Russia to participate in World Cup qualifying through another confederation, akin to Israel’s situation in Europe, this may not resolve the issue. European teams could still threaten to boycott if Russia were to qualify for the World Cup.
The ongoing Russia situation could exacerbate tensions between Fifa and Uefa, two of the most influential organizations in football. This week, they publicly clashed after Fifa’s disciplinary committee took the unprecedented action of lifting Folarin Balogun’s suspension prior to the USA’s last-16 World Cup match against Belgium. Uefa accused Fifa of crossing “a red line” that compromised the integrity of the World Cup, prompting a response from Fifa that accused Uefa of hypocrisy.
The IOC’s recent decision to remove the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee, which had been in effect since October 2023, opens the door for Russian athletes to compete in the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Only 27 Russian athletes participated in the 2024 Summer Games in Paris and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games after undergoing a vetting process to ensure they did not publicly support the war in Ukraine. With the suspension now lifted, potentially hundreds of Russian athletes could compete in the LA Games.
The IOC has clarified that individual sports have the authority to make their own decisions regarding Russia. However, it is unlikely that Russian teams will compete in football at the 2028 Olympics, as the qualification tournaments have already commenced. Uefa has declined to provide any further comments.
