FIFA to review Russia ban after IOC move

FIFA is set to formally review whether all Russian national teams can have their bans lifted, according to Sky News.

The reported move follows the International Olympic Committee’s decision to suspend its own ban on the Russian Olympic Committee temporarily and to stop recommending strict vetting checks for Russian athletes to sports federations.

FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia and ally Belarus from men’s World Cup qualifying for 2022 and 2026, as well as the Women’s World Cup in 2023, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had already backed the return of Russian national teams to international competition earlier this year. Last month, FIFA also said all member associations, including Russia, could take part in the new Under-15 World Cup and its side festival in Azerbaijan from 22 to 31 October.

Since the suspension took effect, Russia’s men’s team has continued to play friendlies outside official competition. It is currently 35th in the FIFA world rankings, while the women’s team sits 27th.