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The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and with just over one year remaining to the coveted sporting event, the first meeting of the White House task force for the tournament, created by American President Donald Trump, was held recently. While speaking to the press, when the 78-year-old learnt about Russia being banned from the FIFA World Cup, he remarked that the overturning of the ban could be a “good incentive” to end war in Ukraine.
Notably, the Russian football teams have been banned by FIFA and UEFA from international competitions after the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. Following the return of Donald Trump as the US President at the Oval Office in November last year, he has been working towards ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, which was one of the key parts of his re-election campaign.
We hope that something happens and peace will happen so that Russia can be readmitted: Donald Trump
With Russia not allowed to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026, as per the current rules, they are not fighting for one of the 45 spots available at the event in the qualification rounds, apart from three spots going to the three host nations. During the press conference after the first meeting of the tournament task force created under Donald Trump’s administration, when he was told about Russia being banned from the tournament, his comment read, “I didn’t know that. Is that right?”
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was sitting besides Donald Trump, replied, “That is right. 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.” The US President responded, “That's possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right? We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people a week are being killed - it's not even believable.”
At the same time, Trump also remarked that Infantino is “the boss” in regards to taking the call on Russia’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026, and he is not going to have anything to do with it.
