The United States government may need to settle millions in unpaid dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency if it wants to avoid potential sanctions linked to major global sporting events.
A proposal under discussion at WADA could introduce penalties for governments that fail to pay their annual contributions.
The situation has drawn attention because the United States is preparing to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
How much the US owes WADA amid the World Cup and Olympics dispute
According to a report by the Associated Press, WADA is considering new sanctions targeting countries that have not paid their dues to the global anti-doping body.
“The proposal calls for a three-tiered set of sanctions for countries that don’t pay dues. In the U.S. case, that amounts to around $3.7 million from last year, plus $3.6 million it didn’t pay in 2024,” AP reported.
The United States has withheld its payments to WADA as part of a dispute over the agency’s handling of several anti-doping cases, including those involving Chinese swimmers.
If the payments remain outstanding, the proposal being discussed by WADA could trigger escalating penalties for non-compliant governments.
Why WADA says unpaid dues could affect major sporting events
WADA officials say the initiative is designed to protect the agency’s ability to fund global anti-doping programs.
“This initiative is aimed at better protecting WADA’s funding so that it can deliver on its mission to protect clean sport,” said James Fitzgerald, the spokesman for WADA.
He added: “If WADA’s funding is cut, it is ultimately athletes who will suffer. Indeed, athletes (including those on WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board) have continuously expressed their support for this initiative.”
The proposal includes several possible sanctions, with the most severe potentially restricting government representatives from attending major sporting events.
That could theoretically impact officials traveling to tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games if the dispute between the United States and WADA is not resolved.
For now, WADA’s executive committee is expected to review the proposal as discussions over the unpaid dues continue.
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