"FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he wants Russia reinstated to international football tournaments. "We have to [look at reinstating Russia], definitely, because this ban has not achieved anything. It has just created more frustration and hatred," Infantino said in an interview with Sky. "Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help." Infantino added that the ban had "not achieved anything" and "created more frustration, and hatred.""
"Russia has been banned from international football since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, four years ago. They were expelled from the World Cup in Qatar that year, and were not part of qualifying for the 2026 tournament that will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer. The men's team have been playing friendlies ever since, but have not played a competetive match since the 2018 World Cup, which the country hosted and the team made the quarterfinals of."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for Russia to be reinstated to international football, arguing the ban has not achieved its aims and has created frustration and hatred. He said allowing Russian girls and boys to play in other parts of Europe would help. Russia was banned after invading Ukraine in February 2022, was expelled from the 2022 World Cup and was excluded from 2026 qualifying. The men's team have played only friendlies since 2018. UEFA briefly planned a U17 return in 2023 but reversed it after pressure. Ukraine's sports minister denounced the reinstatement call as detached from a reality where children are being killed. UEFA's executive committee meets on February 11 and can reinstate Russia.
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