Gianni Infantino says the suspension has achieved “nothing” but frustration, drawing a sharp rebuke from Ukraine’s sports minister who accuses him of detaching the sport from a brutal war.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly argued for lifting Russia’s four-year ban from international football, stating the suspension has “achieved nothing” since it was imposed following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Infantino suggested the ban on Russian national and club teams has backfired. “This ban has not achieved anything; it has just created more frustration and hatred,” he said. “Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
The 55-year-old leader extended his reasoning, asserting that FIFA should “actually never ban any country from playing football because of the acts of their political leaders.” He added, “Somebody needs to keep the ties open.”
The comments met with immediate and forceful condemnation from Ukraine. Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi labeled Infantino’s stance “irresponsible” and “infantile,” telling Sky Sports the remarks “detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.”
Infantino’s position also places him at odds with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who has consistently maintained that Russia can only be reinstated after the war ends—a stance reiterated as recently as last April.
Separately, Infantino defended FIFA’s controversial decision to award a “peace prize” to former U.S. President Donald Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw. “Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it,” Infantino said, concluding, “Objectively, he deserves it.”
The statements signal a potential push by FIFA’s president to reintegrate Russian football, a move that would likely face fierce opposition from Ukraine and many European nations as the conflict continues.
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