No matter which side of the political time you are sitting, or even if you stretch me in the middle, no one denies that right -wing politics has a moment in the United States. From President Donald Trump, who has a copy of the World Cup trophy behind his desk when he signs his seventeenth executive order to the Fox Sports -pound Alexi Lalas’ Daily Republican Party Manifest on X, it is difficult for football fans to escape the pace of the red drum.
At the same time, with Trump who adapts closer to Russia and Vladimir Putin, what impact will it have on the world’s football? In the range, football is little or no significance for much bigger and more important global issues such as Ukraine’s and Gaza’s future, but since this is a football website and the subject has been raised, let’s look at it more closely.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy on the desk behind Trump is a constant reminder of the close relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. If you missed it, the two have created a fairly bromance, after meeting several times in recent years, including a visit to Trump’s MAR-A-LAGO palace in Florida. Infantino was even at Trump’s inauguration. Trump also opened FIFA Club World Cup draw in December 2025 in December via a pre-recorded message.
Infantino recently wrote on Instagram, “Thanks Mr President for your time and for supporting FIFA in the coming months. America welcomes the world and football unites the world! “
Russia’s return to UEFA is almost impossible
So what happens if Infantino and Trump are Bosom friends? How does it affect the world’s football, especially when Trump adapts to Putin? The nicer the relationship between Trump and Infantino, the more likely it is that Trump and Putin can discuss private topic Russia that gets back to the world’s play, with Trump’s help.
Similarly, meetings between the US and Russia over the past week were able to open the door for a Russian entrance to future competitions. It is remarkable that US-Russia’s discussions about Ukraine were held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia hosts the FIFA World Cup 2034 and has tried to present himself as a global peace maker. Sure Russia and Putin would like to welcome a return to the FIFA World Cup competitions.
Since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine to start its war, many European leagues as well as UEFA and US football came as opposed to Russia’s attempt to expand their territory. If you remember, UEFA quickly moved in 2022 UEFA Champions League final from Russia to France. All the Premier League clubs showed Solidarity for Ukraine with their football spot campaign. Bundesliga clubs painted a peace symbol in their places. Laliga showed a message on their broadcasts. US football condemned Russia and said it would not compete against Russia until peace and freedom was restored.
In addition, FIFA and UEFA expelled Russia from international competitions. As late in November 2024, both FIFA and UEFA expanded that decision, which means that Russia is excluded from future football -integrated competitions such as the World Cup 2026, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Trump + Russia + World Cup: Russia’s way back to the World Cup?
The likelihood that Russia may be allowed back to UEFA is almost impossible right now. Instead, it is very possible that Russia may consider joining the Asian Confederation instead in the hope of a qualification path for future FIFA competitions. Russia previously decided not to vote for it, but it was long before its war against Ukraine.
Russia has ended the time to qualify for the World Cup 2026, so Trump can’t help them here. However, the 2030 World Cup is very possible if Russia can be added to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
While the possible scenarios for Russia in a future World Cup are remarkable, Russia and Putin have much bigger problems in front of their country than a World Cup right now. Putin still has a commander for his arrest to claim to commit war crimes against humanity. In the meantime, Russia needs its illegal war to end to avoid a gloomy economic future.
