Moscow, Russia – A senior Russian sports official ruled out any move by FIFA to strip the United States of the right to host the 2026 World Cup matches,
in light of recent military and political developments related to Venezuela,
stressing that FIFA does not deal with all countries according to the same standards.
Vyacheslav Koloskov, the honorary president of the Russian Football Union, said that FIFA would not react to what happened.
He pointed to what he described as a “double standards policy” that governs the decisions of international sports organizations.
Koloskov added, in an interview with the Russian sports channel Match TV,
This is in response to a question about the possibility of withdrawing the organization from the United States:
“Nothing will happen at all, FIFA will not impose any sanctions on the United States, and there is no hope of that.”
A major blow against Venezuela
The Russian official’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday
that the US military had carried out a “major strike” against Venezuela.
According to him, it resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his transfer out of the country.
This move sparked widespread international controversy and varied political and media reactions.
Koloskov criticized what he considered a double standard in dealing with international crises,
saying that certain countries, such as the United States and Israel, are “free to do as they please without any consequences.”
Strict restrictions and penalties
This is while other countries in similar or less severe situations are subject to strict restrictions and sanctions, he said.
The Russian official stressed that the United States’ hosting
of the 2026 World Cup matches will not be affected by these developments.
He stressed that FIFA – in practice – separates politics and sports when it comes to major countries,
However, the same principle does not apply to everyone.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19,
and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
This is the first edition of the tournament with the participation of 48 teams,
amid expectations of unprecedented public interest.
