Why are Russia not playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

Earlier this year, FIFA suspended Russia and its teams from all competitions, ejecting the country from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup just weeks before it was to play for one of Europe’s final places for Qatar.

The suspension has also banned Russian club teams from international competitions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Initial pressure for a ban on Russia came from football officials in Poland, Sweden, England, the United States and the Czech Republic.

FIFA and its European counterpart, UEFA, said the ban on Russia would be in place “until further notice.”

“Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” FIFA said in a statement.

Poland advance to World Cup

Russia were scheduled to play Poland for a place in Qatar, however, Poland were given a bye straight through to the final and they eventually beat Sweden to book a ticket to the 2022 World Cup.

The Russian football authorities appealed the decision, but their case was thrown out by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Spartak Moscow were also kicked out of the Europa League, with their scheduled last-16 opponents RB Leipzig advancing to the quarter-finals.

UEFA drops Gazprom

UEFA followed FIFA by ending partnerships with Russia, including their deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom.