The president of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, announced that Russian football clubs and the Russian national team could soon return to the biggest stage.
Infantino is speaking to Sky Sports supported the re-engagement of Russia in the composition and called for an end to the country’s four-year exclusion from international competitions.
FIFA banned Russia from international competitions after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia therefore kicked out of the World Cup in Qatar and was not part of the qualifiers for the 2026 edition, which will take place this summer in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA PRESIDENT SAYS BAN ON RUSSIAN TEAMS SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED
FIFA President Gianni #Infantino said the organization should consider lifting the ban on him #Russian football teams from international competitions.
“The ban has achieved nothing. It has only created more frustration… pic.twitter.com/NoLkG0s6bQ
— Russian Market (@runews) February 2, 2026
Infantino told it like it is the ban was in vainand his first wish is to bring back the young Russian national teams.
We must consider bringing Russia back, definitely because this ban has achieved nothing. It only created more frustration and hatredsaid the head of FIFA.
It would help if girls and boys from Russia could play football matches in other parts of Europehe added.
Infantino pointed out that he is unreservedly opposed to bans and that FIFA should “incorporate into its statutes that in fact they should never ban any country from playing football because of the actions of their political leaders.”
(Hina | Photo: X)
