Trump: 2026 World Cup ‘incentive’ for Russia to end Ukraine war
President Donald Trump said that the opportunity to compete at 2026 World Cup could be an “incentive” for Russia to end the war with Ukraine.
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2026 World Cup might be an “incentive” for Russia to end Ukraine War
FIFA and UEFA have banned Russian national teams from international competitions since 2022, days after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico began in 2023, with 45 spots available besides the hosts.
Speaking with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at his administration’s first World Cup taskforce meeting, Trump said he didn’t know Russia was excluded under current rules.
However, Trump suggested that Russia ending the war could allow their return.
“I didn’t know that, is that right?” Trump said. “You want to explain that?”
“That is right,” replied Infantino. “They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that something happens and peace will happen so that Russia can be readmitted.”
Trump responded: “That’s possible. Hey, could be a good incentive, right?
“We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop. 5,000 people a week are being killed — it’s not even believable. We’re going to get that war stopped.”
Russia in World Cup
Russia last competed in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where they lost to Croatia in November 2021.
Since then, they have played 16 friendly matches, winning 11.
At a UEFA congress in April, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he hoped to see Russia return “to the football landscape, because this would mean that everything is solved.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin added, “When the war stops, [Russia] will be readmitted.”
