FIFA World Cup hosting and qualification rules currently blend automatic and merit-based pathways.
Traditionally, the host nation receives automatic qualification, bypassing the long regional qualification campaigns.
Beyond the host slot, six continental confederations, namely the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA, who run their own regional qualification tournaments to determine which teams advance to the World Cup, with intercontinental playoffs sometimes used to fill remaining spots.
The number of participating teams has expanded over time, most notably from 32 to 48 for the 2026 edition, which reshaped qualification dynamics and regional allocations.
The decision to strip Russia of its hosting rights and automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup due to its invasion of Ukraine set a crucial precedent.
However, FIFA’s actions will be seen as hollow if they fail to apply the same standards to the United States for its egregious actions against Iran.
The U.S. should lose its hosting rights and automatic qualification.
The U.S. has a long history of intervening in the internal affairs of other countries, often with devastating consequences.
FIFA’s decision to punish Russia but not the U.S. is a clear case of double standards.
If FIFA is committed to upholding the values of peace, respect, and fair play, it must apply its principles consistently.
By taking a strong stance against countries that engage in aggressive behavior, FIFA would be encouraging nations to respect international law.
Unlike Germany, which acknowledged and apologized for its past wrongdoings, the U.S. continues to evade responsibility for its actions.
It’s time for FIFA to recognize this hypocrisy and apply the same penalties to the U.S. as it did to Russia.
The U.S. has a well-documented history of human rights abuses, including the detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, the Vietnam War, and the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It’s time for the international community to hold the U.S. accountable for its actions.
FIFA’s decision on the U.S. will set a precedent for future tournaments and send a strong message about the importance of accountability and respect for international law.
It’s time for FIFA to put principles above politics and take a stand against aggression and impunity.
With that said, the U.S. should not only be stripped of its status to host the FIFA World Cup but also lose its automatic qualification in the competition. Anything less would be a travesty of justice and a betrayal of FIFA’s values.
*Xola ‘eXTee’ Tyamzashe is an APLA veteran. and a prominent figure in South African history and politics, known for his contributions to the Pan-Africanist movement. The views expressed by Xola ‘eXTee’ Tyamzashe are not necessarily those of The Bulrushes
