Donald Trump has suggested that letting Russia participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could motivate an end to the war in Ukraine. The former and incoming US president made these comments while meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino as part of his World Cup taskforce.
Russia has been banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions since their invasion of Ukraine back in 2022. This means they can't currently take part in next summer's tournament, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Interestingly, Trump seemed unaware of Russia's sporting ban. "I didn't know that, is that right?" he asked, turning to Infantino during their meeting.
Could World Cup Access Speed Peace Talks?
Infantino confirmed the ban but offered a glimmer of hope for Russian football. "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 FIFA president explained.
Trump immediately seized on this possibility. "That's possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right?" he responded. "We want to get them to stop. We want them to stop."
The president-elect highlighted the human cost of the conflict, claiming around 5,000 soldiers are being killed weekly. "Horrible things going on over there, we are going to get that war stopped," Trump added.
Russia's Current Football Status
Russian teams haven't been allowed in qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup. European qualifying began in March, with 16 spots available for the expanded tournament.
Despite being excluded from official FIFA competitions, Russia has continued playing friendly matches to keep their national team active. This maintains some footballing continuity while diplomatic efforts continue.
Infantino has previously expressed hope for Russia's return to international football. Speaking earlier this year, he said bringing Russia back "would mean everything is solved" regarding the conflict.
The situation creates interesting dynamics for World Cup 2026 planning. With Trump returning to office in January and the tournament scheduled across North America, his administration will have significant influence over tournament preparations.
For football fans and betting enthusiasts, this political dimension adds another layer of uncertainty to the tournament lineup. Any diplomatic breakthroughs could potentially see Russia added late to the competition, which would significantly impact group dynamics and betting markets.
