FIFA acknowledges IOC's decision to temporarily lift Russia's suspension, weighs return of national teams

FIFA has issued an official response to the International Olympic Committee's move to temporarily suspend its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, signaling that the world football governing body is now open to reconsidering the status of Russian teams. According to Sky News, FIFA stated it "took note" of the IOC's decision and will assess the possibility of allowing Russian national and club sides back into international competitions. The statement comes after the IOC relaxed its earlier recommendations regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete as neutrals under certain conditions. No timeline or specific conditions have been set, and FIFA stressed that it will continue to monitor the situation. Russian teams have been barred from FIFA-sanctioned tournaments since the onset of the war in Ukraine. This latest development could mark a first step toward their gradual return, though any final decision will depend on further signals from the broader sports community.