FIFA boss Infantino backs lifting Russia ban

• FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the Russia suspension “has achieved nothing” and wants a return pathway that begins with youth football.
• Russia has been suspended by FIFA and UEFA since February 2022, and UEFA’s 2023 plan to let the Russia Under-17 teams back was reversed after pushback from member federations.
• UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin repeated that Russia’s return depends on the war ending, while FIFA has also announced new youth events designed to be open to all member associations.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has again said he wants Russia brought back into international football, arguing the ban has failed and should be reconsidered, at least for youth categories.

Speaking to Sky Sports in London during the Women’s Champions Cup weekend, Infantino said the current approach has not delivered progress and has instead worsened feelings.

“We have to [look at readmitting Russia]. Definitely. This ban has achieved nothing; it has only created more frustration and hatred. Allowing boys and girls from Russia to play football in other parts of Europe could help,” he said. “It’s something we have to do, definitely, at least in the youth categories.”

FIFA and UEFA imposed the suspension in February 2022, announcing Russia had been removed from the 2022 World Cup and that Russian teams were suspended from international competitions “until further notice” after the invasion of Ukraine.

Infantino’s remarks come with recent precedent in Europe. UEFA tried in 2023 to ease the policy for Under 17 teams, before reversing that move following opposition from national associations.

Infantino has made similar comments previously, including saying he wanted Russia back “in the football landscape because this would mean that everything is solved.”

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has remained consistent that a return is conditional. “When the war stops, [Russia] will be readmitted,” he said.

Russia has continued to play international friendlies during the suspension. Separately, FIFA’s council has announced plans for a new Under 15 festival, with a boys event scheduled next year and a girls event in 2027, and communications around the plan described it as open to all 211 FIFA member associations.