DONALD TRUMP has claimed the 2026 Fifa World Cup could be an “incentive”; to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
has been banned from playing in international competitions since the .
The US president claimed he would end the on “day one”; of being in office during his campaign.
, 78, began his second term as president on January 20 – over 100 days ago – and the war is still ongoing.
Current rules state that will not take part in the World Cup next summer, which will be co-hosted by the US, and .
The ban was put in place by and and includes removing Russian clubs’ places in European competition.
Trump has now claimed that letting Russia back into the footballing world could incentivise an end to the war in .
He made the suggestion during his administration’s taskforce in the presence of Fifa president .
At first, he was unaware that Russia was banned from the tournament.
He asked: “I didn’t know that. Is that right?”;
To which Infantino replied: “That is right.
“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 former Apprentice US host suggested: “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.”;
However, Trump admitted that Infantino was “the boss”; when it came to decision-making over football.
He also insisted that he would have “nothing to do”; with any demands to have ‘s Russia reinstated.
In February, it was reported that Ukraine had suffered losses of over 46,000 soldiers since the invasion in February 2022.
Previously thriving Ukrainian cities such as Mariupol and Bakhmut have been reduced to rubble.
Meanwhile, vice-president demanded that travelling supporters must “go home”; after the tournament.
78 of the 104 matches of the tournament will be hosted in the US, including the final.
The World Tourism Forum Institute has warned the US that the current strict policies could disrupt fans’ travel plans.
Vance said: “I know we’ll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries.
“We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game.
“But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home.”;
It is expected that two million tourists will make the trip to the US, Canada and Mexico for the World Cup.
Tickes for the 2026 World Cup have already gone on sale .
