1 month ago
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Donald Trump on Tuesday appeared unaware that Russia has been banned from competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup — despite the soccer tournament being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
During a meeting of the World Cup task force at the White House, a reporter asked the president for his stance on the ban, which was part of global sporting sanctions imposed on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“I didn’t know that. Is that right?” Trump responded.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, seated beside Trump, confirmed the ban: “Yep, it is right. They are banned for the time being from playing but we hope that something happens and peace will happen and then Russia can be readmitted. That’s what we hope.”
Trump quickly distanced himself from any responsibility for the ban.
“He’s the boss. I’m not the boss on that. I have nothing to do with that,” he said, motioning toward Infantino.
Later, Trump floated the idea that lifting the ban could be “a good incentive” for peace.
Trump, during his 2024 campaign, vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine war on the first day back in office. But his efforts to broker a deal between the countries have so far stuttered.
Watch the exchange here:
REPORTER: Russia has been banned from playing in the World Cup. What's your position?
TRUMP: I didn't know that. Is that right? pic.twitter.com/RnPyI7HMuG
During the same meeting, Vice President JD Vance joked about deporting fans who will visit America to support their national teams during the tournament.
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“We’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game,” Vance said. “But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise they’ll have to talk to [Homeland Security] Secretary Noem.”
VANCE: We'll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games. But when the time is up, they'll have to go home, otherwise they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem
AUDIENCE: 🦗😳🦗😳 pic.twitter.com/AzJyFscFZG
English (US) ·