Donald Trump’s Reaction to Russia Being Banned From the 2026 World Cup

Donald Trump shared his thoughts on Russia’s ban from participating in the FIFA World Cup after learning this just last year. The US President has been involved in plenty of controversy ahead of his country co-hosting the tournament.

The Russian national team has been banned from participating in competitive international football since February 2022, and this came shortly after the invasion of Ukraine. The country won’t appear in this summer’s World Cup and didn’t have the opportunity to qualify.

This was something Trump wasn’t informed of when he spoke at the first meeting of his administration’s World Cup task force last year. He gave an interesting response when in discussion with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

President Trump on Russia’s World Cup Ban

Trump appeared to be surprised when he was told about the Russian national team’s ban, but he suggested it could be used as a deterrent. The 79-year-old said to Infantino, “I didn’t know that. Is that right? Want to explain?”

Infantino responded: “That is right. They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that…”

Trump cut the FIFA chief off and insisted he could have no say on the matter: “He’s the boss. I’m not the boss on that. I have nothing to do [with that].”

Infantino claimed FIFA hoped for peace and that Russia could be “readmitted”. Trump replied, “It’s possible. Hey, that could be a good incentive, right? We want them to stop.”

Those comments came in May 2025, and Russia and Ukraine’s war is still ongoing, just short of eight months on. During this time, the Russian national team hasn’t competed in any FIFA or UEFA competitions, and its last competitive game was in November 2021.

Valery Karpin’s Russian side have played 20 friendlies since losing to Croatia in that World Cup qualifier just over four years ago. They have a strong record of 12 wins and one defeat.

Trump’s stance on Greenland, in which he has threatened to impose tariffs on countries opposing the USA’s intentions to take the autonomous territory, has raised doubts about Germany’s participation in the World Cup. There is a possibility that Julian Nagelsmann’s German team boycotts the tournament if the American president doesn’t “see sense.”

President Trump on Vladimir Putin Attending World Cup

Russian President Vladimir Putin has a storied history with FIFA, and his nation hosted the World Cup back in 2018. The Football Union of Russia (FUR) had appealed against FIFA’s decision to suspend them from participating in competitions due to the invasion of Ukraine.

This appeal was withdrawn in April 2022, and Putin’s name hasn’t been linked to FIFA competitions since. But Trump suggested he could attend the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada when speaking last August (via The Telegraph):

“There’s a man named Vladimir Putin, who I believe will be coming, depending on what happens, he may be coming and he may not, depending on what happens.”

Putin’s potential attendance at the World Cup would be extremely controversial, given the circumstances, and would continue to bring politics into the football world. The Russian president’s national team wouldn’t be competing at the event, so there’s no reason for him to be present.

This year’s edition of the most prestigious competition in international football will feature 48 teams for the first time since the expansion. One of those nations could be Ukraine, who are in the playoffs to qualify and face Sweden in the semi-finals on March 26th.