President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin may travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, telling reporters at the White House that the Russian leader "wants to attend very badly" and that his visit would "depend on what happens" in the coming weeks. Trump made the remarks while standing alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during an Oval Office appearance announcing that the tournament’s group-stage draw will be held on 5 December at Washington’s Kennedy Center. The president showed journalists a photograph of himself with Putin taken at their recent summit in Alaska, saying he intended to sign and return the picture to the Russian leader. The prospect of a U.S. visit by Putin comes as the Kremlin and Kyiv weigh new proposals to end the war in Ukraine. Trump indicated that progress—or lack of it—over “the next couple of weeks” would determine whether an invitation is extended. Russia remains barred from FIFA and UEFA competitions because of its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and did not take part in qualifying for the 48-team tournament.