FIBA has lifted the restrictions on russian and Belarusian basketball players

The FIBA Executive Committee has adopted the relevant decision. The organisation cited the relevant decisions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) dated 7 May and 7 July 2026.

Consequently, russian and Belarusian basketball players have been granted the right to compete, in particular, in 3×3 basketball tournaments.

However, the national teams of russia and Belarus are not yet permitted to take part in international competitions. FIBA plans to consider the issue of their reinstatement separately at the Central Board meeting in December 2026.

“russian and Belarusian players may take part in all FIBA competitions, and officials may be appointed to participate in them with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

As a reminder, russia and Belarus were suspended from FIBA-sanctioned competitions following the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: FIBA, Champion