The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced the launch of new competitions for players under 15, open to all 211 member associations. This decision effectively lays the groundwork for the return of Russian teams to world football after their suspension in 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine. The new tournaments were announced by the FIFA Council, writes UNN.
Details
The FIFA Council confirmed the holding of festivals for boys in 2026 and girls in 2027. Such a step is in line with the recommendations of the Olympic Summit regarding the admission of young athletes from the Russian Federation and Belarus under national flags. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed "support" for athletes, "especially young athletes, that they should always be able to participate in sports competitions and not be excluded due to the political situation in their country."
Sport provides access to hope and a way to show that all athletes can respect the same rules and each other – added Infantino.
Risks of isolation and boycotts
Despite the initiative, the European football community is skeptical about the chances of Russians making a real return. The main obstacles remain the threat of boycotts from other countries and the difficulty of obtaining visas for Russian delegations. A similar attempt by UEFA in 2023 to bring Russian juniors back to competitions failed due to a massive protest from European football associations.