FIFA President Calls for End to Russian Team Ban

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that the organization must consider lifting the suspension of Russian teams, as the ban has only bred more hatred and disappointment.

Apr 20, 2026

The Russian national team has missed several major championships due to the ban.
Source:
Artem Ustyuzhanin / MSK1.RU

Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), stated that the organization must consider lifting the ban on Russian teams. He expressed this opinion in an interview with the British television channel Sky.

«Consider lifting sanctions on Russian teams? We should do that, definitely. Because this ban has achieved nothing, it has only bred more disappointment and hatred,» said Infantino.

He also added that the organization should consider changing the rules and establish a provision to never ban national teams from playing football for political reasons.

Recall that in February 2022, FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) suspended Russian national teams and clubs from participating in international competitions indefinitely due to events in Ukraine.

During the enforcement of these sanctions, Russian football has suffered significant losses: the national team missed the 2022 World Cup, the 2024 European Championship, and is not participating in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup.