The US actions in Venezuela have put the 2026 World Cup in a deeply shameful and embarrassing company, similar to other tournaments marred by authoritarianism and human rights abuses.
Since the 1934 World Cup, when Benito Mussolini staged the tournament despite his expansionist ambitions, several host countries have used the event as an opportunity to showcase their repressive policies. In Argentina's 1978 edition, General Jorge Rafaél Videla's military junta, which had taken power through systematic detention and torture, hosted the World Cup with protestations from other nations ignored.
Fast forward to Vladimir Putin's hosting of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his annexation of Crimea and backing of pro-Russian rebels took place. FIFA didn't seem to mind either.
The US actions in Venezuela are far more egregious. The forceful abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife is a stark reminder of the nation's descent into authoritarianism under Donald Trump's administration. The US has shown a disturbing disregard for human rights, from softening its support for Ukraine to threatening invasion and annexation of neighboring countries.
This behavior has become all too familiar in modern football. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was marred by corruption and human rights abuses, while the 2030 tournament will likely be criticized for spreading environmental degradation across multiple continents. The recent signing over of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman doesn't bode well.
The US-dominated World Cup has become a platform for self-interested powers to promote their agendas. As the nation itself hasn't shown any qualms about respecting human rights, it's disconcerting to see FIFA seemingly complicit in this. The slow erosion of accountability and shame has led some fans to quietly accept these developments.
Soccer has essentially surrendered its moral compass to the highest bidder, joining the likes of the Olympics and Formula One in accepting sordid baggage as part of their events. When the story of how the World Cup lost its way is told, they will point to the 2026 edition, played in Canada and Mexico – problematically, embarrassingly, irredeemably – in the United States.
As we look ahead to the 2026 tournament, it's crucial to acknowledge that this event has become a reflection of the host country's values. Leaning into self-interest over human rights and democratic norms won't be easily shaken off.
Since the 1934 World Cup, when Benito Mussolini staged the tournament despite his expansionist ambitions, several host countries have used the event as an opportunity to showcase their repressive policies. In Argentina's 1978 edition, General Jorge Rafaél Videla's military junta, which had taken power through systematic detention and torture, hosted the World Cup with protestations from other nations ignored.
Fast forward to Vladimir Putin's hosting of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his annexation of Crimea and backing of pro-Russian rebels took place. FIFA didn't seem to mind either.
The US actions in Venezuela are far more egregious. The forceful abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife is a stark reminder of the nation's descent into authoritarianism under Donald Trump's administration. The US has shown a disturbing disregard for human rights, from softening its support for Ukraine to threatening invasion and annexation of neighboring countries.
This behavior has become all too familiar in modern football. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was marred by corruption and human rights abuses, while the 2030 tournament will likely be criticized for spreading environmental degradation across multiple continents. The recent signing over of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman doesn't bode well.
The US-dominated World Cup has become a platform for self-interested powers to promote their agendas. As the nation itself hasn't shown any qualms about respecting human rights, it's disconcerting to see FIFA seemingly complicit in this. The slow erosion of accountability and shame has led some fans to quietly accept these developments.
Soccer has essentially surrendered its moral compass to the highest bidder, joining the likes of the Olympics and Formula One in accepting sordid baggage as part of their events. When the story of how the World Cup lost its way is told, they will point to the 2026 edition, played in Canada and Mexico – problematically, embarrassingly, irredeemably – in the United States.
As we look ahead to the 2026 tournament, it's crucial to acknowledge that this event has become a reflection of the host country's values. Leaning into self-interest over human rights and democratic norms won't be easily shaken off.
the US is at it again, using its massive influence to shape the world in its own image 
. I mean, who needs accountability when you've got a strong football league to keep people distracted 
? The fact that FIFA has become so cozy with authoritarian regimes is just 
, but hey, who needs human rights when you can have a sold-out stadium and some decent grub at the concession stand? 
It's not like the rest of us care about the state of democracy or human rights when we're trying to score a sick goal 
️. The 2026 World Cup is going to be a real treat, I'm sure 
... for all the fans who still believe in the goodness of humanity 
FIFA needs to do better than just going along with whatever happens, especially when it comes to human rights. The US actions are a major red flag, and I don't think anyone should be proud of this edition being hosted in such an authoritarian country. It's not like Qatar or Russia didn't have their own issues during the 2022 and 2018 World Cups, but at least they didn't pull something so drastic as abducting a president 
. Canada and Mexico are hosting the 2026 tournament, but let's be real, it's still going to be tainted by what's happening in the US 
The US actions in Venezuela are making me super sad 
... like, we're talking about the World Cup, not politics 
. I mean, come on, FIFA should know better 
, but at what cost? 
Human rights and democracy shouldn't take a backseat to sports 
. The 2026 tournament is gonna be so tainted by this... it's like, can we please just focus on the beautiful game? 
the way they're just rolling out the red carpet for any ol' authoritarian regime is straight up gross. I mean, come on 2026 in the US? That's like hosting a party for the wrong people 
it's all about the benjamins, not about promoting values or respect for human rights...and can we talk about how they're just copying Russia's playbook from the 2018 World Cup? 
