Russia included in FIFA Under-15 World Cup draw

FIFA has officially included a Russian youth team in the group-stage draw for the inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan. The team has been placed in a pool alongside Turkey, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, and Sudan. This decision represents the first easing of sporting sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The governing body emphasized that this relaxation is strictly confined to the youth and grassroots level. The decision follows the distribution of formal invitations to all 211 member associations last December. FIFA stated that the festival format is designed to provide meaningful competitive opportunities for nations that typically struggle to qualify for standard FIFA competitions.

The easing of restrictions at the junior level does not affect the status of Russia's senior national teams or club sides. These teams remain suspended from major competitions such as the European Championship and the Champions League. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has reiterated that the senior-level ban remains firmly in place while the conflict in Ukraine continues.

The tournament is scheduled to run in Azerbaijan from October 24 to October 30, featuring an eight-a-side format on smaller pitches. Several nations, including Ukraine, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, are absent from the event, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the competition.