UEFA extends ban on Russian football teams for 2026‑27 season
The UEFA Executive Committee has prolonged the exclusion of Russian national teams and clubs from all UEFA competitions for the 2026‑27 season. The decision reflects a joint request from the Ukrainian Football Association, Ukraine's National Olympic Committee and its Ministry of Youth and Sports, urging UEFA and FIFA to maintain current sanctions on Russia and to impose comparable restrictions on Belarus.
The ban, first imposed after Russia’s large‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prevents Russian teams from entering World Cup qualifying play‑offs and from participating in European club tournaments. Russia fell to 28th in the UEFA coefficient ranking, which would have allowed four club slots, but those are now withdrawn. A brief 2023 permission for Russian under‑17 selections was later revoked. UEFA continues to assign Russia the minimal coefficient and fulfills its solidarity‑payment obligations.
The move underscores ongoing sporting penalties linked to the conflict and signals that UEFA will keep its current stance for the upcoming season.