It is known that the 2026 World Championship will be held for the first time in history in three countries — the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament format has also been updated, with a total of 104 matches being organized.
According to information released by BBC Sport, a number of important issues were discussed during the meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump. Among them, the possibility of Russia participating in the championship was also mentioned.
78 matches will take place in the USA
According to the agreement between FIFA and US officials, 78 out of 104 matches will take place in US stadiums. This means that the country will be the main host of the competition. The US supports this factor in terms of football infrastructure and the number of fans.
Trump: “Incentive for Russia — on the condition of stopping the war”
In his speech, Trump specifically addressed the issue of the war between Russia and Ukraine:
“Since I came to the presidency for the second time, I have been working to stop the war. If Russia stops the conflict, participating in the World Championship will serve as an incentive for them. Otherwise, we see five thousand young lives lost every week,” Trump said.
His statement has caused various reactions in the global community.
Infantino: “There is hope for peace through football”
FIFA President Infantino expressed a cautious and hopeful attitude towards the situation:
“Russia is currently deprived of the right to participate in competitions. However, we hope that peace will be established in the near future and they will return to the world of football. Then, they will also be able to participate in the World Championship,” he emphasized.
Russia has been banned from FIFA tournaments since 2022
It should be noted that Russian national teams and clubs have been unable to participate in international football competitions since 2022. This decision was made as a result of sanctions imposed by FIFA and UEFA.
Zamin.uz editorial staff is closely monitoring the political and sports issues surrounding the 2026 championship. The realization of the ideas of peace, solidarity, and unity through football will be a significant achievement for all humanity.
