FIFA to announce the exclusion of Russia from the World Cup

As confirmed by EFE, FIFA plans to communicate in the coming hours the suspension of Russia, which will prevent the participation of its national team in the World Cup in Qatar, for which it still had to play the last phase of the European qualifiers.

The measure proposed by the IOC aims to “protect the integrity of world sporting competitions and the safety of all participants” and, as confirmed by EFE, will be adopted by FIFA for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA had announced a series of severe measures against Russia, on whose soil no international competition will be held, its flag and anthem will be banned and its national team will only be allowed to play under the name “Russian Football Union (RFU)” due to the invasion of Ukraine.

This was agreed on Sunday by the FIFA Council Bureau, which adopted “the first measures related to the war in Ukraine”.

According to these measures, Russia could only play under the name “Russian Football Union (RFU)” and its home matches would be played on a neutral field and without spectators.

The Russian national team has yet to play in the play-off for one of the three remaining European places for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Their first match was scheduled for March 24 against Poland at home.

If they go through, they would face, also at home, the winner of the match between Sweden and the Czech Republic on March 29.

So far, the federations of England, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, Sweden, France and Wales have announced that they will not face Russia in any competition at any level.

FIFA reiterated on Sunday, following the first measures against Russia, its condemnation of the Russian army’s use of force in its invasion of Ukraine.

“Violence is never a solution and FIFA expresses its deepest sympathy to all those affected by what is happening in Ukraine,” it said.

It also made “a further appeal for the urgent restoration of peace and the immediate start of a constructive dialogue.”

“FIFA remains in close contact with the Ukrainian Football Association and with members of the Ukrainian soccer community who have requested support to leave the country as long as the current conflict persists,” he added.

Last 25th and following the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, UEFA already decided that St. Petersburg will not host the next Champions League final on May 28 and chose the Stade de France in Paris as the new venue for the competition.

It also resolved that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA tournaments will have to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice. Russian team Spartak Moscow is expected to be eliminated in the coming hours from the round of 16 of the Europa League, in which it was paired with German side Leipzig.