A coalition of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, has urged FIFA to take “concrete action” to address escalating human rights risks ahead of the 2026 Men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, said:
“Workers, athletes, fans, and communities make the World Cup possible. But the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States has put those commitments at risk.”
The groups cited escalating attacks on immigrants, threats to press freedom, and FIFA’s cancellation of anti-discrimination messaging as major concerns. They demanded binding guarantees against arbitrary detention and unlawful immigration enforcement.
Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch condemned the situation, stating: “There is still time to honour FIFA’s promises… but the clock is ticking.”