UEFA has banned a total of seven international football matches from ever taking place

```International football is heavily influenced by politics, and UEFA has had to take precautions to prevent high-risk fixtures. 

The bans and restrictions are usually due to ongoing or historical conflicts, territorial disputes, or political tensions.  

Here’s a quick recap of the key matchups UEFA has prevented:  

Russia vs. Ukraine : Due to the ongoing war and tensions even before 2022.  

Belarus vs. Ukraine : Due to Belarus’ role in supporting Russia’s invasion.  

Kosovo vs. Serbia : Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.  

Kosovo vs. Bosnia : Due to Bosnia’s Serb entity (Republika Srpska) opposing Kosovo’s independence.  

Russia vs. Kosovo : Russia, like Serbia, does not recognize Kosovo.  

Gibraltar vs. Spain : Spain does not recognize Gibraltar as a separate entity.  

Some politically tense fixtures, like Serbia vs. Albania, are allowed but come with extreme hostility, as seen in their infamous 2014 clash.  

FIFA also enforces similar restrictions, and some teams have been outright banned from international football in the past (e.g., Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Russia since 2022).  

It’s a fascinating mix of politics and sport, where football sometimes reflects deep geopolitical realities.```