UEFA has taken a pretty tough stance on Russia, all things considered, and yesterday the football organisation made a series of important decisions on the country’s future participation.
Firstly, no Russian club will be allowed to participate in European competitions next year - both men and women. Russia’s, newly vacant, automatic spot in the Champions League group stage will instead go to the champions of Scotland - either Celtic or Rangers, who were previously looking at a spot in the play-off round.
Also benefiting are the champions of Ukraine, who will now be top of the list if the spot for the title holder is no longer needed - in this case, it would be Shakhtar Donetsk making an appearance in the group stage. This is looking likely since three of the final four teams left in the tournament already have confirmed spots through their domestic league. The winners of the Serbian Cup, or the league runners-up, will now play in the qualifiers for the Europa League.
Russia will not participate in this summer's UEFA Women's EURO 2022.
— UEFA (@UEFA) May 2, 2022
Portugal, the opponent defeated by Russia in the qualifying play-offs, will now participate in Group C.
Additionally, Russian teams will not participate in UEFA club competitions next season.
More info: ⬇️
The Russian national team has also been suspended from all UEFA competitions. The women’s team had qualified for the Euro’s in England next year, but their berth will now go to Portugal, who lost to the Russians in the play-offs.
It’s also been decided that, for the Nations League, Russia will automatically be placed in the bottom spot of League B. They had been drawn to face Iceland, Israel and Albania.
If Russia's suspension is lifted in time for the Euro 2024 qualifiers draw, they will be drawn into pot 3, making their journey to the competition could be much more difficult.
ℹ A UEFA anunciou a presença de Portugal no Europeu Feminino 2022! 🇵🇹
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) May 2, 2022
🗓 6/7 - 31/7
📍 Inglaterra#VamosComTudo #TeamPortugal @UEFAWomensEURO pic.twitter.com/RPETEEGlS5
Two of the country’s international sides that have already begun tournaments will be eliminated from the competition - the women’s side taking part in qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and the U21 team that were hoping to qualify for the 2023 U21 Euros. UEFA decided that the teams’ results would be null and void.
In the Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Denmark, who played in Russia’s group, qualified for next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Likewise Spain, who led Russia’s group in the U21 qualification table, confirmed their spot in the championship next year.
UEFA also said that the suspension will hit youth national teams and the UEFA futsal tournament - they reached the quarter-finals last year, but have been automatically banned from qualifiers for the next edition.
UEFA announced Monday that Russian clubs would be banned from all European competitions next season, and that Russia's bid for either the 2028 or 2032 Euro was 'ineligible'https://t.co/FwQ7qui6an
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 2, 2022
Finally came one of the most anticipated decisions, refusing Russia’s bids to host Euro 2028 and Euro 2032. These bids were submitted last month, after the invasion of Ukraine began, and, according to UEFA’s statement, since Russia is suspended, these two bids are ineligible.
The steps UEFA has taken are probably the biggest decisions it has had to make since suspending Yugoslavia in the 90s. But how long will it last?
Edited by Alex Smith
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Saibari scored inside two minutes as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Boston, leaving the Scots on the very brink of 2026 World Cup elimination.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Qatar stole a last-gasp draw from Switzerland and Morocco held Brazil 1-1 — two results that announced Arab football’s full arrival at 2026.
Azteca stadium hosts its third World Cup as Mexico City buzzes with pride, protest, and the deep belief that football has always lived here.
Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig to win the Conference League in the most romantic underdog final in European football history.
Maccabi Tel Aviv edge Hapoel Be'er Sheva 2–1 in a dramatic Israeli Cup Final at Teddy Stadium, denying the champions a historic Double.
With tensions easing, Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation remains uncertain, as FIFA, politics, and regional dynamics collide.
CAF shocks African football by stripping Senegal’s title and awarding Morocco the AFCON crown after a chaotic final decision.
From silent protests to daring escapes, Iran’s women footballers turned a tournament into a global story of courage, politics, and survival.
Iran’s women’s team protested, faced threats, and signaled SOS in Australia—now their fate is uncertain amid calls for asylum.
From geopolitics to spectacle, Trump looms over World Cup 2026—reshaping football, power, and culture in the biggest tournament ever.
FIFA joins Gaza rebuilding plans, restoring stadiums, pitches, and youth programs, supporting football and hope in the Strip.
From Nigeria’s Mavlon academy to Viktoria Plzeň and the Europa League dream: Salim Fago’s journey is just beginning in Europe.
From Benzema’s shock move to Ronaldo’s protest, a chain reaction in Saudi football is shaking the entire project and the global game.
A Hitchcock-style AFCON final in Rabat saw chaos, controversy and brilliance as Senegal stunned Morocco to claim their second African title.
From libraries to stadiums, Morocco lives football. As AFCON 2025 nears its climax, passion, politics, and ambition collide nationwide.
After nine years at Liverpool, Salah left for Trabzonspor — the money, the family, and the love of being the underdog all played their part.