Trump proposes Russia’s 2026 World Cup return as Peace incentive for Ukraine war

Former US President Donald Trump has suggested that reinstating Russia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup could serve as an incentive to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Russia has remained banned from international football since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with both FIFA and UEFA excluding the nation’s teams from participating in global and continental competitions. As a result, the Russian national team is not eligible for the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Trump made the remarks during the inaugural meeting of his administration’s 2026 World Cup taskforce. He floated the idea that Russia’s return to the tournament could act as a diplomatic gesture to encourage peace efforts. He, however, admitted he was previously unaware of Russia’s current suspension from the competition.

The former president further clarified that any decision regarding Russia’s reinstatement lies entirely with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the football governing body, stressing that he holds no influence over such matters.