The request comes from 23 Members of Parliament from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru, who signed a parliamentary petition calling on international sports organizations such as FIFA to consider removing the US from its hosting rights and even its participation in the upcoming tournament. Their primary concern revolves around controversial political actions and a perceived disregard for international law by President Donald Trump's administration.

With approximately five months remaining until the tournament, the US is set to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Of the 104 matches, 78 are scheduled to take place in the US, including all knockout stage matches, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches. However, the US's central role in the World Cup is now under scrutiny amid the current political climate.

The immediate catalyst for this petition was the alleged US operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a raid in Caracas earlier this month, sparking intense debate over its legality under international law. This incident occurred just one month after FIFA controversially awarded its first Peace Prize to Trump at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington on 5/12/2025, commending his efforts to reduce global conflict.

The petition asserts that major sporting events "should not be used to legitimize or normalize violations of international law by powerful nations." The document specifically highlights "the escalation of US actions against Venezuela," including the alleged abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, as evidence that Washington has overstepped its bounds.

The MPs also cited a series of recent statements by Trump and senior US officials regarding potential intervention or invasion of other countries. These include the US President's public expression of a desire to "acquire" Greenland, which the petition describes as "explicit and implicit threats" aimed at countries such as Denmark, Colombia, and Cuba.

US President Donald Trump holds the World Cup trophy at the White House on 22/8. Photo: AFP

Adding to the controversy, the US administration has introduced a new visa policy that could directly impact the 2026 World Cup. The US Department of State issued an internal memo instructing consular officers to deny immigrant visas to citizens from 75 countries during a review of entry screening and vetting processes. The indefinite visa freeze is expected to be implemented from 21/1.

Among these 75 countries are 15 nations slated to participate in the 2026 World Cup, including Brazil, a strong contender for the title. Three of the four teams in Scotland's Group C – Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti – are on the affected list, raising concerns that Scotland's group stage matches in Foxborough and Miami could see a significant drop in attendance. Other nations affected by this visa policy include Algeria, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Jordan, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan.

The US Department of State memo specifies that consular officers must deny visas to individuals deemed likely to become a public charge upon entering the US. Factors such as health, age, and English language proficiency are also considered. US Department of State spokesperson Tommy Piggott affirmed that this policy aims to prevent "potential immigrants from becoming a burden on the budget and exploiting the US public welfare system," adding that exceptions would be very limited.

This move comes as Trump is considering tougher measures against Iran following a wave of protests against the Islamic government. The US President warned of "strong action" if Tehran continues with executions and has reportedly been briefed on various scenarios, including potential attacks on non-military targets in the capital, Tehran.

According to European media, if FIFA were to heed the UK MPs' petition and suspend the US, the 2026 World Cup could descend into chaos just months before its opening. However, this possibility is considered low due to the close relationship between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Nevertheless, the continuous political developments are raising concerns that not only the 2026 World Cup but also the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be impacted by Washington's political decisions in the near future.

Hong Duy (Sportbile, Daily Mail)