FIFA considers expelling Venezuela from the 2026 World Cup: the serious accusation that puts everything at risk

While La Vinotinto is experiencing one of the most promising moments in its history, with its performance on the rise and the real possibility of reaching a World Cup playoff for the first time, an international scandal threatens to derail that dream. The 2-0 victory over Bolivia on Matchday 15 of the South American Qualifiers seemed like a firm step toward glory, but after the final whistle, sporting events took a back seat.

The Bolivian delegation publicly denounced that it experienced serious logistical obstacles in Venezuela just before the match. The most forceful accusation came from Bolivia's head of security , who described the situation as " sabotage ." According to him, the team's return was deliberately delayed by Venezuelan authorities, despite having all the necessary permits. The official version spoke of technical failures and air traffic, but Bolivia denies this: " There were only two aircraft on the runway ," they stated.

The reaction in Bolivia was immediate. Congress and the media demanded that the Bolivian Football Federation file formal complaints with FIFA and CONMEBOL , seeking a thorough investigation into what happened. The incident, they assert, is not an isolated incident: it is a recurring practice by Nicolás Maduro 's government to inconvenience visiting delegations.

Political pressure mounted rapidly. Bolivian parliamentarians dismissed the incident as a planned maneuver to undermine the team's performance, as it was due to embark on a long and grueling journey to its next match. The narrative took hold in public opinion, and diplomatic moves are already underway to activate the protocols required by FIFA in situations of this magnitude.

The world governing body of football clearly states that host countries of official matches must guarantee free movement and fair treatment of foreign delegations. Failure to comply with these rules can result in fines , loss of points , or even disqualification from official tournaments . And while it may sound extreme, the expulsion of a team from the World Cup is not unprecedented.

If Bolivia presents concrete evidence—such as detention reports, official documents, or communications with the Venezuelan federation—and FIFA determines that there was state intervention for unsportsmanlike purposes, the punishment could be devastating for the Vinotinto. Even if they qualify on sporting merit, the sanction could keep them out of the 2026 World Cup and upset the entire qualifying table.

The impact on Venezuelan football would be historic and painful. After years of marginalization at the international level, Fernando Batista's team managed to put together a solid campaign, supported by figures like Salomón Rondón and a young squad hungry for glory. Their current seventh place brings them closer than ever to the playoffs, but it could all come to nothing if the complaints are successful.

For a country that has never competed in a World Cup, being eliminated for non-sporting reasons would be a difficult tragedy to swallow. The growth achieved in football could be overshadowed by political decisions that did not go unnoticed by the world.

Bolivia has already activated official channels with CONMEBOL, which will work together with FIFA to analyze the case. The coming weeks will be crucial: technical reports, testimonies, videos, and official documentation supporting the accusation are expected. Everything will be under scrutiny.

If the Venezuelan government's responsibility for impeding the visiting delegation is proven, FIFA must take an exemplary decision. Not only will a national team's qualification be at stake, but also the credibility of the South American competitive system and respect for the international rules governing football.