FIFA's Double Standards? Why USA Keeps World Cup While Russia Remains Banned

The situation surrounding the staging of the World Cup in the United States has exposed what critics describe as the true mechanisms behind FIFA's decision-making process, where the slogan "sport outside politics” appears to be applied selectively. FIFA Standards Do Not Apply Against US FIFA did not strip the United States of its right to host the World Cup, which began today, despite the country's actions against Iran. The federation reportedly based its decision on its principal doctrine — "sport outside politics.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that football should unite people in a world divided by conflicts and that sporting events should not be used as a tool for politically punishing states. However, had the special military operation begun in February 2018, Russia would, according to this view, have been guaranteed to lose its hosting rights for the tournament because of what was described as "aggression” against Ukraine.