Russia’s football association is committed to the return of his teams to the international football game. This week is the UEFA Congress.
“The moment of return is getting closer”According to the Russian news agency TASS, Russia’s association leader Alexander Djukow recently claimed at a media appointment. “It won’t happen tomorrow. But we assume that a decision can be made this year.”
Djukow speculated: “Perhaps this decision will be made for all teams and clubs at the same time, maybe there will be a decision that provides for a gradual return, but most likely good news awaits us this year.” The Russian leader of the association put an unequivocal pressure and said: “The probability is over 50 percent.”
Alexander Djukow, President of the Russian Football Association
UEFA Congress in Belgrade this week
The UEFA Congress will take place on Thursday (03/03/2025). Then envoys of all 55 UEFA members come together – there are many conversations in the background, also on the subject of Russia. “We will discuss the question of the approval of Russian national teams on the sidelines of the UEFA congress”said Djukow, the managing director of Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of the Russian state energy group Gazprom.
The UEFA Executive Committee would have to make such a decision that usually also meets as part of the congress. Djukow is still a member of there. However, his term in Belgrade expires, he does not start again and instead wants to assert influence in other committees. The return will hardly be carried out this week. UEFA and FIFA recently sent out signals for a possible opening.
Russia’s national team of men before a friendly against Brunei in Krasnodar in November 2024
UEFA official: “Hope that Russian sport will return”
Zoran Lakovićin which UEFA was responsible for the national associations, attended the Russian association at its congress in Moscow. “I hope that this year Russian sport, including the national soccer team, will finally return where he was before this situation”said Laković according to a report by the Russian Association: “You will return to the European sports family.”
Zoran Laković, UEFA director national associations at the RFU Congress in Moscow
Jesper Möller, President of Denmark’s football association and member of the UEFA Executive Committee, spoke of a wish “In parts of UEFA and FIFA”to allow Russian teams again. However, Möller restricted: “If nothing happens in relation to a peace agreement or anything else, nothing will change in the current situation.”
Dänermark’s leader Jesper Möller is also a member of the UEFA Executive Committee.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf sees it similarly. The debate was unnecessary as long as the situation does not change, he said on Monday with a view of the UEFA congress in Belgrade. “The fact is that unfortunately nothing has changed in the starting point that has led to the suspension of Russian teams. Russia continues to continue the war against international law against Ukraine”said Neuendorf.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had recently shown himself open to a Russian return. “We all hope that the peace talks will be successful”he said in early March. “We look forward to the moment that all countries in the world can play football again. If football can play a small role as soon as there is peace, we will of course play our role.” The officials did not explain what exactly that are sufficient framework conditions for a “peace” and thus for the return of Russian teams.
The war has never been the official reason for suspension
The UEFA, the FIFA and the IOC did not directly refer to the Russian attack war against Ukraine when the Russian team suspended the Russian teams, but the protection of the “Integrity of the competition” and the “Running the games”.
It looked like this in football: FIFA and UEFA had tried to have Russia without flag and anthem under the name “Football Association from Russia” instead of “Russia”. The associations from Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic announced at the time, in the Playoffs not to compete against Russia for the 2022 World Cup. “The Polish national team will not play against Russia, no matter what the team is called”said the Polish association president Cezary Kulesza back then. A double -digit number of European associations followed the example, the DFB was not among them. So was “The smooth running of the games” endangered.
Poland’s President Cezary Kulesza
The FIFA and UEFA left no choice: they suspended the Russian teams of participating in their competitions, Russia’s association appealed to the International Sports Court CAS. Since then, Russia’s military has destroyed numerous sports facilities, killed footballers and also took other areas in the east of Ukraine after the Crimea.
When Russia could return where
For Russia’s way back to game operations, various times appear or impossible:
- Male national team: Such a decision would come too late for the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The games run. The qualification for the EM 2028 in Great Britain and Ireland is the more realistic option.
- National team: The qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil only begins in February 2026, here a Russian team could be added more easily than among men. The field for the EM 2025 is already standing, the final round is drawn.
- Men’s teams in club competitions: Usually the deadline ended in mid -May, teams for the Champions LeagueThe Europe League and the Conference League to register. Russia is currently theoretically entitled to a starting place in the 2nd qualification round of the Champions League and two starting places in the 2nd qualifying round of the Conference League. In addition, the cup winner in the 1st qualification round of the Europa League should play.
- Women’s teams in club competitions: Here, too, the deadline usually ends in May. There are two tournaments from the 2025/26 season. Both in the Champions League and in the newly created Europe Cup If Russia had the right to two places in qualification.
- Youth teams: While DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke agreed in the UEFA Executive Committee and later also DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in the FIFA Council with the opposition of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to re-approval from Russian U17 teams, several other European associations with boycott were threatened. The implementation of the decision was therefore postponed. This would only have to be put into force if other teams are ready to play against Russia. Both “Youth Development “-Turneren of the UEFA for U15 and U16 teams played Russia even after the attack on Ukraine- also hymns, jerseys and the name “Russia” are allowed there.
Pennant, jerseys, flag – Russia’s U15 at the “development tournament” of the UEFA
“Our approach was brutally attacked by the mainstream policy, especially from the left wing”criticized Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin in the Slovenian newspaper “Delo“ With reference to the U17 teams. The Federal Ministry of the Interior, led by Nancy Faeser (SPD), announced at the time: as long as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin continued his war of aggression, “Is it the completely wrong way to open the door to international sports competitions”according to the ministry. “The full solidarity of sport must continue to apply to Ukraine.”