According to US President Donald Trump, allowing Russia to re-join the world of football could be “a good incentive” for the country to pursue a peace deal with Ukraine. He made these remarks during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House on Tuesday.
Russia has been banned from international football since February 2022. This sanction was imposed shortly after Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Meanwhile, the European qualification campaign for next year’s World Cup, set to be held in the US, Canada, and Mexico, is already underway, and a Russian participation is no longer feasible.
FIFA President Infantino expressed hope for a swift resolution. “We hope there will be peace soon so that Russia can be re-admitted,” he stated. President Trump responded immediately, agreeing with Infantino. “That’s entirely possible,” Trump said. “Hey, that would be a good incentive, right? We want them to stop. Five thousand young people are dying there every week. It’s unbelievable.”
President Trump has high expectations for the upcoming World Cup. “It will be an unprecedented success. This will outshine every other tournament you have ever organised. You’ll think you did badly in the past because this is going to be so much better, Gianni. This will blow everything away.”
