Football
Donald Trump reveals how World Cup could end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with a bold assertion that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could potentially help end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The ongoing conflict, which began in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion over Ukraine’s growing alignment with NATO, has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.
While Ukraine is not a NATO member, its increasing cooperation with the alliance has been perceived by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a threat to national security. The war has now dragged on for over three years with no resolution in sight.
Despite previously attempting to mediate between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump has yet to broker peace.
Nonetheless, he remains adamant that he would secure a ceasefire on the very first day of a second presidential term should he win the upcoming election.
Most recently, Trump has floated an unexpected idea: that allowing Russia to rejoin international football competitions, particularly the 2026 World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could serve as a compelling incentive for peace.
Russia is currently banned from participating in events sanctioned by FIFA and UEFA due to its military aggression in Ukraine. Trump suggested that lifting this ban might appeal to Putin, potentially encouraging him to end the conflict.
The former president remarked that the global scale and unifying nature of the World Cup might offer a diplomatic opportunity that traditional negotiations have not yet achieved.
However, Trump’s remarks also exposed a notable gaffe. During a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump confused the FIFA Club World Cup with the FIFA World Cup, mistakenly referring to the club competition trophy as the prestigious World Cup prize.
This mix-up raised eyebrows, especially as he expressed surprise upon learning that Russia was banned from the upcoming tournament. Infantino confirmed the ban and expressed hope that peace would allow Russia’s return to international football in the future.
Trump responded optimistically, stating that such an incentive could be worth exploring, referencing the thousands of young lives lost weekly in the ongoing war.
He was quick to clarify, however, that the decision to readmit Russia was entirely up to FIFA, praising Infantino as the one with ultimate authority on the matter.
Putin himself is known to be an avid football fan, particularly of Zenit St Petersburg. In the past, he has criticized the club for fielding too many foreign players and not enough Russian nationals.
His interest in football is well-documented, and Russia previously hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup despite international tensions surrounding its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
As European nations continue their qualifying campaigns for the 2026 tournament, it remains unclear whether FIFA would consider such a dramatic policy reversal.
Given the current geopolitical climate, allowing Russia to participate would require an extraordinary shift in both international relations and FIFA regulations.
Nevertheless, Trump’s unexpected suggestion has added a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how sports and diplomacy might intersect in times of global crisis.
Football
‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer
Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.
The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.
In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.
The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.
Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.
Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.
Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Football
Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider
Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.
In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.
The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.
With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.
Football
Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.
A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.
Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.
Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.
Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.
After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.
Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.
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