US President Donald Trump has suggested that allowing Russia to participate in the 2026 World Cup could serve as an "incentive" to end the war in Ukraine.
The comments came during the first meeting of his administration's World Cup taskforce, where Trump appeared alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Russia's national football team has been banned from international competition by FIFA and UEFA since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump, who campaigned on ending the Ukraine war on "day one" of office if elected for a second term, said reinstating Russia for the tournament could help end the conflict.
Donald Trump has had his say on the World Cup
Reuters
During the meeting, Trump admitted he was unaware of Russia's exclusion from the tournament.
"I didn't know that, is that right?" Trump asked, turning to Infantino.
"That is right," Infantino replied. "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, 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," Trump added.
The US president emphasised his determination to end the conflict, stating: "Horrible things going on over there, we are going to get that war stopped."
Under current rules, Russia will not play at the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Qualification for the tournament began in September 2023, with 45 spots available in addition to the three host nations.
European qualifying officially started in March, with 16 spots at the tournament on offer.
Russia haven't played a competitive fixture since a 2022 World Cup qualifying defeat to Croatia in November 2021.
Since their ban, Russia have played 16 friendlies, winning 11 of them.
The US will host 78 of the 104 matches at the tournament, including the final.
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Donald Trump insisted the World Cup could help bring peace between Russia and Ukraine
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Infantino had previously expressed a desire to bring Russia back into international football, suggesting at a UEFA congress in April that he wanted Russia back "in the football landscape because this would mean that everything is solved."
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added at the time: "When the war stops, [Russia] will be readmitted."
Trump campaigned heavily on his promise to end the Ukraine war quickly if elected for a second term.
US vice-president JD Vance, also present at the taskforce meeting, said the US is looking forward to welcoming fans from across the globe for the tournament but warned that supporters must "go home" afterwards.
