FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his desire to see Russia return to international football, despite the country’s ongoing ban following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
His comments come amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing a peace deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, largely sidelining Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was allegedly removed from the White House after a dispute with Trump, just a week after Trump labeled him a "dictator" in a speech attended by Infantino.
Infantino appears to align with Trump, emphasizing their relationship as crucial to the World Cup’s success. Speaking in Northern Ireland, he stressed the importance of peace, stating that football could play a role in fostering unity once conflicts are resolved.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Infantino has defended FIFA’s decisions to take major tournaments worldwide, despite past criticism over hosting in Russia and Qatar.
"Football is the game of everyone. Everyone loves football. It's the number one sport in the world," he said.
