Allow Russia to participate in the 2026 World Cup could be an “incentive” to end the war
In a controversial declaration, the President of the United States Donald Trump has hinted that allowing the Russian football team to participate in the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup can constitute an “incentive” that pushes Moscow to end his war in Ukraine.
According to the “Athletic” network, these statements come more than three years after the decision of the international federations (FIFA) and the suspension of European football (UEFA) of the participation of Russian teams and clubs after the illegal invasion of the Ukrainian lands in February 2022
Trump, who intensified his attempts to mediate between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Voludimir Zellinski in recent months, has made his statements to the first meeting of the 2026 World Cup team, who has chaired by himself and also supervises the organization of the Club World Cup this summer.
Speaking with the participants, Trump surprisingly said after learning that Russia is not right to qualify now: “I didn’t know that … it’s true?”, To ensure Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, the validity of the matter saying: “Yes, Russia is currently prohibited by participation, but we hope that peace will soon be reached for competitions.” So Trump commented: “This is possible … it could be a good incentive, right? We want the war to stop. We want to stop.”
Infantine, during his presence, indicated the 49th European football conference (UEFA) in Belgrade, to the current American efforts, saying: “With the continuous interviews to reach peace in Ukraine, I hope that we will soon move to the next page and will bring Russia back to the football scene; because this will mean that the crisis is over”.
Although the European qualifications for the 2026 World Cup have been held and started some games, the possibility of raising the ban on Russia has become a hot topic after the recent declarations of the infantine in which she expressed its hope for the return of Russia “soon”, and also spoke of its close relationship with Tmp before hosting the United States, Canada and Mexico for the tournament next summer.
In a correlated context, Tuesday, Andrew Juliani, son of the former mayor of New York, Rudi Juliani, was appointed executive director of the World Cup team, with Carlos Cordero, Fifa councilor and former president of American football, held the position of Cape Consultant, while the Vice -President of the United States GD Vans has the position of vice president of the team.
