India, June 26 -- Russia appears to have been given a green light to send its youth teams to the FIFA U-15 World Cups. The historic decision comes at a time, when the Russia men's national football team remains out of the FIFA World Cup 2026, underway in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The country has not competed in any major competition since their invasion of Ukraine nearly four years back. Now, the football governing body, headed by Gianni Infantino, has announced that every country, including Russia, are invited to compete in the Under-15 World Cup and Festival, slated to take place in Azerbaijan from October 22 to 31.

Russia has been banned from all UEFA and FIFA-recognised tournaments, including the European Championship, the Nations ...