The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has voiced deep concern over the escalating levels of gun violence in the United States, warning that the crisis poses serious risks ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. is set to host.
The statement released by EFF highlighted the recent shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the dangers of unrestricted firearm access in the country.
The party noted the irony that Kirk, a vocal supporter of gun rights, had himself fallen victim to the very system he defended. The EFF drew attention to what it called “staggering statistics,” pointing to 46,728 firearm-related deaths recorded in the U.S. in 2023, along with dozens of school shootings that claimed the lives of children and educators.
The party warned that by mid-2025, incidents of gunfire on school grounds had already surged, raising alarm about America’s capacity to ensure basic public safety.
Mass shootings are almost weekly news in the U.S.,” the statement read. “A nation that cannot guarantee its children safety in classrooms cannot be assumed ready to protect the world on its soil.”
The EFF accused U.S. lawmakers of refusing to act, citing loopholes that allow firearms to be purchased without background checks, weak safe-storage laws, and widespread access to assault weapons. The party also criticised Congress for prioritising the profits of gun manufacturers over the lives of schoolchildren.
Linking America’s domestic violence crisis to its foreign policy, the EFF described the U.S. as a nation that “indiscriminately invades and bombs countries abroad” but is now unable to contain bloodshed at home.
With the World Cup less than a year away, the EFF called on FIFA to urgently evaluate whether the U.S. can provide adequate safety for players, fans, and tourists. “FIFA cannot ignore this reality,” the party stated. “It has a duty to ensure all qualifying nations and their supporters will be safe.”
The EFF further warned against attempts by the U.S. political establishment to exploit Kirk’s death for further political violence, cautioning that such moves would only deepen what it described as a “culture of death.”
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