The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) could decide to suspend the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada due to the armed intervention and bombings carried out by the first of these countries against Venezuela on Saturday. As reported by the Argentine News Agency (NA) during the historic day of Saturday, January 3, Venezuela is experiencing an unprecedented crisis for the country and for Latin America, due to the armed intervention and bombings by the United States at dawn to capture President Maduro and his wife, with the aim of transferring them to the American city of New York to try them for 'narcoterrorism.' In the football world, this US intervention has raised concerns, and considering FIFA's historical precedents in similar situations, the World Cup could be affected by the geopolitical conflict. According to the regulations of the world football governing body, a country and/or federation must be banned from all international competitions for such conflicts, as was the case with Yugoslavia in 1992 for its civil war and Germany in 1950 with the dissolution of its federation after World War II. 'Something will have to be done about Mexico.' This clear message to another of the World Cup organizers has increased the tension between the United States and Mexico, with just six months until the start of the intercontinental competition. The closest precedent similar to that of the United States is that of Russia, which three years ago invaded Ukraine, unleashing a war that continues to this day. At that time, FIFA, UEFA, and the Olympic Committee were firm on the matter and suspended the Russian national team and clubs from all types of international competitions and sporting events. This sanction against Russia is still in effect, and that European national team cannot participate in European Championships or World Cup qualifiers. The fact of the unilateral bombing and capture of the president would further complicate the situation for the United States, both in terms of hosting and participating in the World Cup. To top it off, at the press conference announcing Maduro's detention, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that 'the cartels rule Mexico, she (President Claudia Sheinbaum) does not govern that country.'
