FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a wide-ranging exclusive interview with Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim published on February 2, 2026, strongly reiterated his longstanding position in favor of lifting the suspension on Russian national teams from international football competitions.
The ban was imposed by both FIFA and UEFA in late February 2022, shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and has now been in effect for nearly four years.
Speaking during a visit to London for the Women’s Champions Cup, Infantino described the measure as ineffective, stating plainly that “this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred.” He argued that rather than pressuring political change or contributing to peace efforts, the exclusion has only deepened divisions, fostered resentment, and potentially increased animosity among affected populations.
Infantino was unequivocal when directly asked if the ban should be revisited, responding: “We have to. Definitely.” He expressed particular urgency around reinstating Russian participation at the youth level first, suggesting this could serve as a practical starting point.
Allowing Russian boys and girls to compete again in international youth events—potentially traveling and playing matches across Europe—would, in his view, help maintain open channels of communication through sport and promote gradual reconciliation by focusing on the next generation rather than current geopolitical tensions.
Beyond the immediate Russia case, Infantino advocated for a fundamental policy shift within FIFA. He proposed enshrining a new principle directly into the organization’s statutes: that no country should ever be banned from football solely because of the actions or decisions of its political leaders.
He framed this as essential for preserving football’s role as a unifying force, emphasizing that “somebody needs to keep the ties open” even during conflicts. In his words, bans and boycotts in general are counterproductive, and football should remain above such political punishments to fulfill its potential as a bridge between people.
Infantino applied the same philosophy when addressing parallel calls to exclude Israel from competitions amid the Gaza conflict. He rejected the idea of imposing a ban, calling it a “defeat” for the sport and insisting that football should never be used as a political weapon.
He contrasted the situations somewhat, noting differences in context and claiming the Israel-Gaza issue had seen resolution in certain aspects, while maintaining his broader opposition to any nation being sidelined for the conduct of its government.
The comments drew sharp backlash, particularly from Ukrainian officials. Ukraine’s sports minister labeled Infantino’s stance “irresponsible—not to say infantile,” while others, including the foreign minister, condemned it in stronger terms as morally deficient. Despite this criticism, Infantino remained consistent in positioning football as an apolitical space dedicated to dialogue and shared humanity, even amid ongoing global controversies.
Note that while youth teams from Russia (competing under neutral branding as the “Football Union of Russia,” without flags, anthems, or national symbols) were permitted to return to certain international competitions starting in 2023, the broader senior-level ban has remained in place until now, with Infantino pushing for its full removal.