Sun Jan 04 22:50:00 UTC 2026: ## Maduro Faces US Charges, Venezuela Misses World Cup Spotlight
NEW YORK, NY – As Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro faces criminal charges in the Southern District of New York following his capture by U.S. forces, supporters rallied outside the courthouse on January 4, 2026. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are indicted for narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons charges. Maduro’s son and other Venezuelan officials also face charges.
The arrest of Maduro has thrust Venezuela into the international spotlight, prompting questions about the nation’s presence on the world stage, particularly regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Despite the expanded tournament format, which increased the number of participating teams to 48, Venezuela failed to qualify through the South American CONMEBOL process. According to FIFA records, Venezuela was eliminated before the final round of qualifications.
Following the unsuccessful qualifying campaign in 2025, the Venezuelan Football Federation dismissed head coach Fernando Batista. The team remains one of the few South American nations never to have qualified for a men’s World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already attracting global attention, intersecting with politics and diplomacy. The tournament awarded former President Donald Trump with FIFA’s first-ever Peace Prize, underscoring the event’s political symbolism.
While recent U.S. actions in Venezuela have placed the country in the news cycle, Venezuela will not be represented on the soccer field in 2026.
First Piper 