UAF demands UEFA to grant neutral status for the Belarusian national team at Euro 2026

According to glavcom.ua: The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Football Association has addressed the UEFA President with an official position regarding the participation of the Belarusian national team in the final tournament of the 2026 European Futsal Championship. UAF emphasized the unacceptability of the political presence of a state that supports armed aggression against Ukraine at a tournament under UEFA's auspices.

For the European football family to remain consistent in its stance regarding the war in Ukraine and to adhere to the chosen approach towards aggressors, the political presence of a state that supports aggression through the demonstration of its state symbols - anthem and flag - is unacceptable. This contradicts the fundamental values of peace, mutual respect, and unity that we all share.

It was also stated that the international community has been applying a consistent approach regarding Belarusian athletes since 2022, allowing them to compete with neutral status or completely excluding them from participation.

Official Statement

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia, has already sent a joint official statement regarding this issue. UAF insists that the Belarusian futsal team participate in the tournament with neutral status without the use of state symbols.

This will fully preserve sports fairness and demonstrate zero tolerance for supporting military aggression. This approach will correspond to established global standards and demonstrate a consistent position of European football regarding zero tolerance for supporting military aggression.

World Cup Qualifiers

The Ukrainian football team continues to fight for qualification for the World Cup. The next opponents in the playoffs will be the Sweden national team and the winner of the Poland - Albania pair. In previous matches, Ukrainians defeated the Icelandic national team with a score of 2:0.

The Executive Committee of UAF has addressed UEFA with a request to avoid the political presence of the Belarusian national team at the European Futsal Championship in 2026 due to support for aggression against Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities are actively working on this issue, supporting the neutral participation of athletes in international competitions.