The IHF decided to reinstate Russia and Belarus in international handball without consulting the EHF. The European federation has now confirmed that its representatives voted against the decision. At the same time, the EHF wants to retain the right to prevent Russian national teams from competing in European tournaments.
On 15 July 2026, the International Handball Federation (IHF) decided to lift the suspensions of Russia and Belarus with immediate effect. The decision covers national teams, referees, officials and other representatives. The IHF also clarified that no additional eligibility requirements or special restrictions would apply beyond the standard anti-doping regulations.
However, in a subsequent statement to Handbollskanalen, the IHF clarified that lifting the suspensions does not automatically guarantee participation in future championships. Decisions on participation will be made by the IHF Council on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as organisational arrangements and security concerns.
When the European Handball Federation’s (EHF) Executive Committee met in September, the implications of the IHF decision were discussed. The EHF opened the door for the Russian and Belarusian federations to register for future national team competitions, while retaining the right to decide whether they would actually be allowed to participate.
In a written statement to Handbollskanalen, the EHF has now elaborated on its position. The federation also emphasised that it was not consulted ahead of the IHF decision and that its representatives voted against it.
“The EHF must acknowledge the fact that the IHF Council – without consulting the EHF and against the votes of the EHF representatives – has decided to fully readmit Russia and Belarus to its competitions.
The Executive Committee has discussed the implications of this decision for European handball and decided that, in principle, the registration of Russia and Belarus for future national team competitions is possible.”
However, the EHF reserves the right to decide on actual participation based on the prevailing circumstances. This includes organisational and security matters, as well as a careful assessment of the legal situation, including local and national legislation and the latest decisions from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The EHF is also holding direct consultations with other European team sports federations on the matter.
The two international federations therefore have different approaches to Russia’s return. The IHF has lifted the suspensions and reinstated the eligibility of the Russian and Belarusian federations to participate in international competitions. The EHF, whose representatives opposed the decision, still wants to retain the option of blocking their participation in European competitions.
Russia not considered for ongoing World Championship qualifiers
Handbollskanalen also put further questions to the EHF about what the decision means in practice.
Regarding the ongoing European qualification campaign for the 2027 Women’s World Championship, the EHF has made it clear that it has no intention of adding more teams to competitions that are already underway. There are therefore no plans to allow Russia into the current qualifying campaign.
The EHF has not, however, commented on possible alternative solutions or whether the IHF could make a separate decision to award Russia a place at the tournament.
The situation surrounding the Women’s EHF EURO 2028 is less clear. The EHF says that the registration process for the qualification campaign has not yet begun and therefore does not wish to comment on Russia’s potential participation. The same principle applies to the men’s European Championship qualifiers. According to the EHF, there is no difference in its approach between the men’s and women’s competitions.
The federation is also unwilling to give a definitive answer on whether Sweden – or any other national team – would be required to play against Russia if the teams were drawn against each other.
The EHF says every situation would have to be assessed according to the circumstances at the time. It is equally unable to specify the consequences of a potential refusal to play against Russia without a concrete scenario. No clear indication has been given of what sanctions a federation could face for refusing to play.
The EHF has also provided no timeline for a final decision on Russia’s participation. The authority to make such decisions rests with the EHF Executive Committee.
IHF: Every situation will be assessed individually
Handbollskanalen has also approached IHF Competition Director Pascal Jenny for an interview about the consequences of the decision.
Among the questions were Russia’s chances of participating in the 2027 Women’s World Championship and whether the IHF could award the country a wildcard. We also wanted to know how the IHF would respond if a national team refused to play against Russia and how security concerns would be handled at international championships.
Pascal Jenny had not responded at the time of publication. The IHF has, however, provided a written statement to Handbollskanalen outlining its position.
The IHF refers to the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and confirms that both Russia and Belarus are once again eligible to participate in its competitions, provided they meet the applicable rules and qualification requirements.
At the same time, the IHF emphasises that decisions on participation in future competitions fall under the authority of its Council. Each situation will be assessed individually, taking into account factors such as organisational arrangements and security concerns.
The IHF’s full statement reads:
“In accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IHF Council decided in July 2026 to reintegrate the Russian and Belarusian Handball Federations into international handball and lift their suspensions.
We are also in contact with several other bodies, such as the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and other team sports that are members of the Olympic movement.
As federations whose suspensions have been lifted, both federations are eligible to participate in IHF competitions, subject to the applicable rules and qualification requirements.
Regarding future events, decisions on participation fall within the remit of the IHF Council. Each situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific circumstances surrounding the competition, including organisational considerations and security aspects where relevant.
The IHF continues to monitor developments in international sport and maintains ongoing contact with the IOC and other international sports federations. The Council will evaluate situations that may arise at future competitions and decide on appropriate measures in accordance with the IHF Statutes and its responsibilities.
No general assumptions should be made about future events, as each decision will be considered individually by the IHF Council.”
The IHF therefore also stresses that lifting the suspensions does not automatically guarantee participation in every future event.
The key difference is that the IHF has already reinstated the Russian and Belarusian federations and made them eligible for its competitions, whereas the EHF still reserves the right to determine whether they will actually be allowed to compete in European tournaments.
From complete suspension to a possible return
The background to the situation dates back to 4 March 2022, when the IHF suspended Russia and Belarus from international handball following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision covered teams, officials, referees, lecturers and experts.
On 24 March 2026, the IHF took its first step towards reinstatement by allowing Russian and Belarusian youth national teams up to U21 level to organise and participate in their own friendly matches and tournaments, subject to special conditions.
On 15 July, the federation went considerably further. Referring to the IOC’s recommendations, it lifted the previous suspensions with immediate effect.
The EHF, meanwhile, had suspended Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from European competitions on 28 February 2022. Its latest statement makes clear that it does not share the IHF’s approach to how the reinstatement should be implemented.
Several questions therefore remain unanswered regarding when, and under what conditions, Russian national teams could actually return to major international handball championships.