The Euro 2024 tournament in Germany is underway, but one familiar name is notably absent from the list of participating nations: Russia. Football fans wondering, Does Russia Play In The Euros? will quickly find the answer is no. While the qualification process for Euro 2024 began in March 2023 and concluded with playoffs in early 2024, Russia was not involved. This absence isn’t due to poor performance on the pitch; instead, it’s a consequence of a ban imposed by both FIFA and UEFA.
To understand why Russia is not competing in Euro 2024, we need to delve into the reasons behind this suspension and its broader implications for Russian football.
Russia’s Track Record in the Euros
Historically, Russia has been a regular participant in the European Championship. Before the current ban, Russia had qualified for six out of the seven previous Euros since becoming a FIFA member in its own right for Euro ’96. The only tournament they missed was Euro 2000, highlighting their consistent presence in this prestigious continental competition. This history makes their current absence even more significant, prompting many to ask, why are they not there?
The Ban: Why Russia is Excluded from Euro 2024
The reason Russia is not playing in Euro 2024 is due to a ban enacted by both FIFA and UEFA in February 2022. This decisive action followed Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. In response to the conflict, the governing bodies of world and European football took the unprecedented step of suspending all Russian national teams and clubs from participating in their competitions.
This blanket ban meant that Russia was excluded from the Euro 2024 qualifying process right from the outset. Unlike Germany, who automatically qualified as host nation, Russia was the only other UEFA member country that did not participate in the Euro 2024 qualifiers – but for drastically different reasons. Germany qualified by default; Russia was barred.
The severity of the situation escalated rapidly. Initially, FIFA considered less drastic measures, proposing that Russia play home matches at neutral venues behind closed doors and under a neutral flag. However, following consultations with the International Olympic Committee, both FIFA and UEFA opted for a full and comprehensive ban, reflecting the gravity of the geopolitical situation.
Immediate Impact and CAS Appeal
The ban’s implementation was immediate and far-reaching. At the club level, Zenit Saint Petersburg, for instance, was ejected from the Europa League. More significantly for national team ambitions, Russia was removed from their 2022 World Cup playoff match against Poland, effectively ending their hopes of reaching the Qatar World Cup.
Russia attempted to challenge the ban, appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, in March 2022, CAS rejected their appeal, upholding the decisions of FIFA and UEFA. This legal setback solidified Russia’s exclusion from all major international football competitions, including Euro 2024.
Indefinite Suspension and Future Participation
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, there has been no indication from either FIFA or UEFA that they intend to lift or modify the suspension imposed on Russia. This suggests that the ban is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
This indefinite suspension extends beyond Euro 2024. Russia was also excluded from the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. The Russian national team is currently limited to playing friendly matches against countries willing to compete against them, meaning they are sidelined from all official European and international tournaments.
Ukraine at Euro 2024: A Stark Contrast
In stark contrast to Russia’s exclusion, Ukraine successfully qualified for Euro 2024. Despite the ongoing war in their country, the Ukrainian national team competed in the qualifiers and progressed through the playoffs to secure their place in the tournament. Ukraine are placed in Group E at Euro 2024, alongside Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania, demonstrating their resilience and determination to compete on the international stage despite the immense challenges they face.
Ukraine’s participation while Russia remains banned highlights the complex and politically charged context surrounding international sports in the current global climate.
Conclusion: Russia’s Absence from Euro 2024 Explained
To definitively answer the question, does russia play in the euros?, the answer is a clear no. Russia is not participating in Euro 2024 due to the ban imposed by FIFA and UEFA following the invasion of Ukraine. This ban, enacted in February 2022, remains in place, preventing Russian national teams and clubs from competing in major international football tournaments. While Russia has a history of participation in the Euros, the current geopolitical situation has led to their exclusion, with no immediate prospect of the ban being lifted. Therefore, for Euro 2024, fans will not see Russia among the competing nations.
