Uefa is prepared to block the return of Russian teams to international football, setting up a potential fresh clash with Fifa after the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted Russia's suspension from global competition. The stance matters because, while the World Cup is a Fifa tournament, European qualifying is run by Uefa, meaning European associations effectively hold a veto over any Russian return to the competition. Fifa, which banned Russian teams following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, has said it will "analyse the decision before deciding on next steps".

Many of the largest western European associations, including England, Germany and France, remain firmly opposed to Russia's reintegration, and Uefa was previously forced to abandon plans to readmit Russian youth sides after a backlash from at least a dozen members. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who seeks re-election next year, is unlikely to alienate his electorate, whereas Fifa president Gianni Infantino — close to Vladimir Putin since the 2018 World Cup — has signalled openness to Russia's return. The IOC's move paves the way for potentially several hundred Russian athletes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, up from just 27 across Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026, though football qualification for 2028 has already begun, ruling out Russian participation in that sport.