FIFA to admit Russia at inaugural U‑15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, ending youth‑level ban

The ban since February 2022

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, FIFA and UEFA jointly excluded all Russian national teams and clubs from international competitions. The ban kept Russia out of the 2022 World Cup and the 2026 qualifying campaign, though the Russian Football Union itself was never suspended. In 2023 FIFA lifted the suspension for U‑17 boys’ and girls’ teams, but European nations including Ukraine and England refused to play Russian sides, leaving them absent from those tournaments.

FIFA’s new youth tournament

On 25 June 2026, FIFA announced that its inaugural U‑15 World Cup and Festival, scheduled from 22 to 31 October in Azerbaijan, would be “open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member Associations.” The phrasing, confirmed by a FIFA spokesperson, includes Russia and Belarus. The tournament will be the first FIFA event where a Russian national team could appear since the 2022 ban. The second edition in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only, and from 2028 onward both boys’ and girls’ U‑15 teams from all member associations will compete in separate competitions.

The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member Associations, the second instalment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only.

Reaction from Moscow

Russia’s Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyariov welcomed the decision as a milestone. He called it “an important step towards the return of Russian teams to international sport” and expressed hope it would be “a first step towards a full return” of Russian sides to all competitions.

This is an important step towards the return of Russian teams to international sport.

Infantino’s push for youth return

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had signalled a change in February 2026 when he told Sky that the ban on Russian youth teams “has done nothing” and had “only led to more frustration and hatred.” He argued that lifting the exclusion at youth level was necessary. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has also questioned the continued exclusion of Russian youth sides from official tournaments.

Oh, definitely. We have to. Yes … at least at youth level. This ban has done nothing.

Olympic sanctions diverge

The FIFA decision follows a broader recalibration of sports sanctions. In May 2026, the International Olympic Committee recommended lifting restrictions on Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flag and anthem, while keeping Russian athletes on neutral terms and outside team events. Russia’s men’s national team continues to play friendlies and is ranked 34th in the FIFA rankings; the women’s team is 27th.