EHF Keeps Final Say on Russian Teams' Return
European Handball Federation lets Russia and Belarus register their federations but retains full control over whether their teams actually play matches in Europe.
The European Handball Federation's Executive Committee has kept for itself the final say on whether Russian and Belarusian teams play matches in Europe, even as it confirmed both national federations can register for competition.
The EHF said it reached the decision after consulting the European Association of Team Sports and reviewing the legal, organisational and security aspects of the case.
"The Executive Committee confirmed the possibility of registration of the said federations (the Handball Federation of Russia and the Belarus Handball Federation), but reserved the right to take into account international developments (such as decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport) in its further decision-making, and to assess the feasibility of matches taking place across Europe, as well as to analyse various competitions and their qualification structures. The timeline for setting up registration systems, draw processes and other procedures will also play an important role," the federation said in a statement.
Russia's national teams and clubs have been barred from international competition since 2022. The International Handball Federation's council allowed junior and youth teams back into competition in March 2026, and in July it cleared Russian and Belarusian senior sides to compete under their own flag and anthem.
The EHF's position leaves the return of Russian and Belarusian clubs and national teams to European competition still unresolved, tied to CAS rulings and to practical steps such as draws and registration that have yet to be scheduled.
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