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 inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan later this year. The move represents the clearest sign yet that FIFA is beginning to reintegrate Russian teams after more than four years of exclusion following the country’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.While Russia’s senior men’s and women’s national teams remain suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions, FIFA president Gianni Infantino also indicated the governing body was prepared to review the wider ban, arguing that the continued isolation had not achieved its intended goals.
Why is Russia banned from international football?
FIFA and UEFA jointly suspended all Russian national and club teams from official competitions in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.The decision immediately kicked Russia out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup play-offs and has since kept the country out of all major senior international competitions, including UEFA Euro 2024, the UEFA Nations League and qualifiers for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.The suspension extended beyond the senior teams, with Russia’s youth and women’s teams disappearing from FIFA and UEFA competitions. Russian clubs are also excluded from continental tournaments.Despite these sanctions, Russia’s FIFA membership itself 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, primarily against nations outside of Europe, including Trinidad and Tobago and Burkina Faso during the last international window.
FIFA invites all member associations to a new under-15 tournament
The first significant step towards Russia’s comeback could come in October when FIFA hosts its inaugural Under-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan between October 22 and 31.In announcing the tender, FIFA confirmed that every member association is invited.“The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member associations, the second installation in 2027 will feature only girls’ teams,” FIFA said.“From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with their U-15 boys and girls teams in two separate competitions.”Although FIFA did not explicitly mention Russia in its announcement, reports from Reuters, DPA International and other media indicate that both Russia and Belarus are included among the invited participants.If confirmed, it would be the first time since 2022 that a Russian team competes in a tournament organized by FIFA.The move follows FIFA’s gradual attempts to reintegrate youth football. The governing body previously lifted the suspension affecting Russia’s under-17 boys and girls teams, although the teams 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 to return to international football
Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino openly admitted that the organization was ready to review Russia’s suspension.“We have to, because this ban has achieved nothing, it has only created more frustration and hatred,” Infantino said.“It would help if girls and boys from Russia play soccer matches in other parts of Europe.”His comments were the strongest indication yet that FIFA is exploring ways to gradually restore Russian participation, starting with youth football before addressing the future of the senior national teams.
Russia welcomes FIFA’s latest decision
Russia’s sports minister, Mikhail Degtyarev, welcomed FIFA’s invitation to the under-15 tournament, describing it as an important step forward after more than four years on the sidelines.“We welcome FIFA’s decision to allow the Russian national team to participate in the World Cup and the FIFA U-15 Festival to be held in Azerbaijan in October 2026,” he wrote on social media.“This is an important step towards the return of Russian teams to international sports.”For Russia, the invitation marks the country’s first return to a FIFA event since hosting the 2018 Senior World Cup.
The return of the senior remains uncertain
Despite the development of the situation, the Russian senior national teams remain suspended indefinitely from FIFA and UEFA competitions.No timetable has been announced for the lifting of those sanctions, and Russia remains excluded from official senior international football as the war in Ukraine continues.The invitation to Azerbaijan therefore represents only a limited return through youth football, not a full return.
