US president Donald Trump has issued a strict criteria that could overturn Russia's 2026 World Cup ban.
As things stand, Russia are banned from competing at the next World Cup, which takes in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities by the three North American countries from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The Russian national football team have been banned from international competition by FIFA and UEFA since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Advert
Speaking at the first meeting of his administration's 2026 World Cup taskforce, Trump said the opportunity for Russia play at the 2026 World Cup could be an 'incentive' to end the war in Ukraine.
Asked for his position on Russia's ban at the 2026 World Cup, Trump, who was sat next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, said: "I didn't know that. Is that right? Want to explain?"
Infantino replied: "That is right. They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that..."
Trump added: "He's the boss. I'm not the boss on that. I have nothing to do [with that]."
Infantino continued: "We hope that something happens, and peace will happen... and Russia can be readmitted."
To which Trump replied: "It's possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right? We want them to stop."
Russia haven't played a competitive international game since a 2022 World Cup qualifier to Croatia back in November 2021.
They have played 16 friendlies since their defeat to Croatia, winning 11 of them.
At a UEFA congress in April, Infantino said he wanted to bring Russia back 'in the football landscape because this would mean that everything is solved'.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: "When the war stops, [Russia] will be readmitted."
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup began in 2024, with 45 spots up for grabs in addition to the three host nations.
Topics: Donald Trump, FIFA World Cup, Football, Gianni Infantino, Russia
Nasir Jabbar