Fifa is looking to end Russia’s ban from international football after Uefa relaxed its position on Russia last week, Sky News reported on Wednesday.
The decision could be taken at a Fifa Council meeting later today that could allow Russian teams to play in the Fifa Under-17 World Cups if they qualify, the report said.
The ban has been in place since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022 in a move FIFA said was in “full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine”.
But FIFA is looking to ease the punishment based on how European football’s governing body last week relaxed its position on Russia.
UEFA decided to end its complete ban on Russian international teams competing to allow them to participate in the Under-17s Euros qualifying in the coming weeks – but without their national kit, flag or anthem.
European teams secure qualification for the Under-17s World Cups based on their performances at their continental UEFA events.
So FIFA is viewing the Under-17s European Championships as de facto qualifiers for the global level which provides a logic for them to readmit Russia.