FIFA President announced the need to consider lifting the ban for Russian teams

FIFA should consider lifting the ban on Russian teams participating in international tournaments. This was announced on February 2 by the president of the organization, Gianni Infantino.

"We have to do this. Definitely. Because this ban has achieved nothing, it has only created more frustration and hatred," he said in an interview with Sky News, answering a question about the ban on Russian teams in international tournaments.

Infantino added that the opportunity for Russian boys and girls to play football in other parts of Europe would be beneficial.

Now with the IOC: Russia accelerates its return to world sport

Sports authorities expand Russians' access to competitions

The head of the Russian Football Union (RFU), Alexander Dyukov, said at the end of December last year that he expected Russian teams to be allowed to participate in international competitions in 2026. He noted that at the end of 2025, a significant step was taken in the issue of admission to international tournaments for all Russian sports.

On the same day, RFU Secretary General Maxim Mitrofanov announced that Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Alexander Ceferin were talking in disguise about the lack of authority to allow Russian teams to participate in international competitions. He noted that consideration of this issue at the congresses of organizations in 2026 is possible, but it will depend on their executive committees.

Earlier, on December 12, it became known that the RFU will receive compensation in the amount of € 3.8 million from UEFA for the non-participation of the Russian team in European competitions. It was noted that the amount is influenced by the country's position in the UEFA ranking and the income of the club that earned the most in the proportions of 70 and 30%, respectively.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.