The Trump administration’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Task Force held a meeting this week to discuss, among other things, Russia’s possible involvement in the tournament. The meeting had in attendance President Donald Trump, Vice President James David Vance, and the FIFA President, Gianna Infantino.
Infantino had confirmed that Russia was banned from participation as a direct response to its invasion of Ukraine. “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,” said Infantino.
Trump expressed his desire to see Russia permitted to play a part in the tournament, citing his belief that it could be a potential incentive for Russia to stop the war and embrace peace efforts.
“That could be a good incentive, right? We want to get them to stop. 5,000 young people a week are being killed—it’s not even believable,”
Trump said in an effort to make Infantino understand the scale of the devastation and the importance of such a decision. Trump also acknowledges that Infantino is the boss and whom the power to make such a decision resides with.
At the meeting, other important matters were discussed, including how to manage the influx of fans and supporters. The World Tourism Forum had earlier stated that the U.S. immigration policies could negatively impact the flow of tourists and supporters into the U.S. during the tournament.
This concern was highlighted by JD Vance, who reiterated that the U.S. will welcome fans and supporters but will expect them to go back to their countries after the tournament is over.
“I know we’ll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries,” he said. “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.”
The World Cup will take place between June and July and will be hosted by the United 26, consisting of the US, Canada, and Mexico. The U.S. is scheduled to host 78 of the 104 matches and the final match of the tournament.
