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Amnesty International has raised fresh concerns over the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that the global football showpiece could become what it described as a “stage for repression” if urgent safeguards are not put in place.
In a report titled “Humanity Must Win,” the London-based rights group urged FIFA and the host nations the United States, Canada and Mexico to take immediate steps to protect fans, players and vulnerable communities during the tournament.
Although FIFA has repeatedly pledged that the competition will be one where everyone “feels safe, included and free to exercise their rights,” Amnesty said the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The organisation noted that this commitment stands in “stark contrast” to current conditions, particularly in the United States, which is set to host the majority of the matches.
The report pointed to what it described as a “human rights emergency” under the administration of Donald Trump, citing mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and the increasing use of aggressive immigration enforcement operations. Amnesty also flagged concerns over the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, noting that the agency is expected to be “a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup.”
Adding to the tension, Amnesty said none of the official host city plans clearly outline how fans or local communities would be protected from such enforcement actions.
This has already triggered fears among supporters from certain countries, with nationals from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal reportedly facing travel restrictions.
The body further warned that some fan groups, particularly LGBTQ+ supporters from Europe, have expressed reluctance to attend matches in the United States due to safety concerns.
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It stressed that the situation undermines FIFA’s earlier classification of the tournament as “medium risk.”
“This World Cup is very far from the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” the report stated, adding that “urgent efforts are needed to bridge the growing gap between the tournament’s original promise and today’s reality.”
Despite the concerns, FIFA has insisted the 48-team tournament, the largest in history, will proceed as planned, with all participating nations expected to compete.
The governing body is projected to generate up to $11 billion from the World Cup cycle, further intensifying scrutiny over its responsibility to uphold human rights standards.
Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice, Steve Cockburn, warned against prioritising profit over people.
“While FIFA generates record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price,” he said.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, with the final set for July 19 in New Jersey, but as preparations gather pace, the debate over safety, inclusion and human rights is only just beginning.
