- Russia has indeed been excluded from FIFA and UEFA since the invasion of Ukraine
- Trump suggested that the return of Russia may be possible if the war is over
- Listen now: everything is launched! Arsenal needs to sign players for here and now to win the Premier League … So should they sign Harry Kane?
US President Donald Trump said Russian participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 could provide “incentive” to the nation to end the war in Ukraine.
Russia has indeed been prohibited from FIFA and UEFA Club and national team competitions at all levels since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump was asked about Russia’s possible participation in next year’s World Cup, which will be co-organized by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking alongside the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, at the first meeting of his world cup working group, Trump admitted that he was not aware that Russia was prohibited from the tournament.
“I didn’t know that, is it good?” Said Trump, turning to Infantino, adding “he is the boss, I’m not the boss about it”.
“It’s true,” replied Infantino. “They are prohibited for the moment to play, but we hope that something will happen and that peace will happen so that Russia can be readmitted.”
Donald Trump suggested that the World Cup could be an incitement to Russia to end the war in Ukraine
The national team of Russia is currently prohibited to participate in the tournament next summer
FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested that Russia could be readjusted if peace occurs
Trump said, “It’s possible. Hey, it could be a good incentive, right?
“We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop. Five thousand young people per week are killed, it is not even credible, Russian soldiers and Ukrainian soldiers for the most part.
“Horrible things are happening there, we are going to have this war arrested.”
Russia is currently unable to participate in the next summer tournament, the nation is not part of the qualification process.
The European qualifications for the World Cup officially started in March, with 16 places in the tournament offered.
A number of groups still have to play matches due to the bonds of the League of Nations which are also taking place during the same international break.
Speaking in March, Infantino had expressed the desire to bring Russia back into the fold, suggesting that it would be a sign that war had ended.
“While the discussions take place for peace in Ukraine, I hope that we will soon be able to go to the next step and bring Russia back to the football landscape, because it would mean that everything is resolved,” said Infantino.
“This is what we have to encourage, that’s why we have to pray, because it’s football.”
Although it is prohibited from UEFA and FIFA competition, the Russian national team has played friendly matches.
