Former US President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to give Russia a spot in next year’s World Cup in the United States as a way to stop the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a press conference at the White House with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump began discussing this topic, apparently unaware that Russia had been temporarily suspended from FIFA competitions. This suspension was due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Trump has been working to end this war since announcing his bid for a second term as US President last November. Upon learning of Russia’s suspension, he even asked the FIFA President if it was true. “I didn’t know that. Is that a fact?” Trump asked. When Infantino confirmed it was true, Trump suggested that giving Russia the opportunity to play in the World Cup could be a powerful incentive to stop the war.
“They’re suspended temporarily for a short period of time. But we’re hoping that Russia will be given an opportunity as a way of bringing peace. It’s possible. It’d be a great incentive, wouldn’t it?” Trump asked. He stated that Russia is losing 5,000 young people every day and that this needs to stop. He added that as the US President, he couldn’t do anything to include Russia in the World Cup, but that the FIFA President is the “boss of soccer.”
Trump indirectly suggested that Infantino could make this happen. However, FIFA did not respond to these comments. Next year’s World Cup in the United States will feature a total of 48 countries competing.
