Overview
- Reports on January 3 said U.S. forces struck Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro, triggering questions about possible sporting consequences.
- FIFA has not opened a procedure against U.S. Soccer, and there is no formal action to remove the United States as a World Cup 2026 host.
- Statutes cited by analysts show FIFA sanctions typically target direct political interference in a federation’s governance rather than military actions by states.
- The 2022 exclusion of Russian teams is described as an exceptional, coordinated security decision by FIFA and UEFA rather than a standard disciplinary precedent.
- CONMEBOL says it is on alert and monitoring Venezuelan clubs’ participation in Libertadores and Sudamericana, with potential venue relocations if security conditions require, while World Cup preparations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada continue as scheduled.