Trump: 2026 World Cup can be 'incentive' for Russia to end war

President Donald Trump said that giving Russia an opportunity to compete at the 2026 World Cup could be a "good incentive" to end the war in Ukraine after learning that the European country was banned by FIFA.

Russia hasn't played a competitive match since Nov. 2021. FIFA and European football governing body UEFA banned the country in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine in February of that year.

Speaking alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump admitted during his administration's first World Cup task force meeting that he was unaware of Russia's exclusion and said that reinstating the country could help end the conflict with Ukraine.

"I didn't know that. Is that right?" Trump said, according to BBC Sport's Sean Kearns.

"That is right," Infantino responded. "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 then said, "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."

European qualification for the 2026 World Cup officially began with the Nations League in March. There are 16 spots available for European teams to qualify for next summer's tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Russia has played 16 friendlies since being banned.