Amnesty warns 2026 FIFA World Cup may expose millions to human rights risks across host nations

Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup could expose millions of fans and local communities to human rights risks, particularly in the United States, where most matches are scheduled to take place.

In a report titled “Humanity Must Win: Defending rights, tackling repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the organisation outlined concerns affecting fans, players, journalists, workers and residents across the three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament, organised by FIFA, is set to be the largest in the competition’s history, with the majority of matches to be played in the United States.

Concerns Over Immigration Policies in the United States

Amnesty International highlighted what it described as a human rights emergency in the United States under President Donald Trump, citing large-scale deportations, immigration enforcement practices and restrictions affecting migrants and visitors.

According to the organisation, more than 500,000 people were deported from the United States in 2025, including arrests conducted within the country and at its borders.

“The record-breaking surge of unlawful arrests and deportations has only been possible because of the erosion of due process safeguards,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice.

He added that the policies had “created a climate of fear throughout the USA” that could also affect international visitors attending the tournament.

Amnesty reported that enforcement actions by agencies such as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection have included detentions near homes, schools and workplaces, with allegations of racial profiling targeting communities of colour.

The organisation also raised concerns about travel restrictions, stating that fans from countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Iran and Senegal may be unable to enter the United States unless they held valid visas before 1 January 2026.

Proposals requiring visitors to disclose social media accounts for screening were also cited as potential risks to privacy and freedom of expression.

Impact on Host Cities and Communities

Amnesty said several host cities in the United States have been directly affected by federal immigration enforcement policies. It noted that authorities deployed approximately 4,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June 2025 in response to protests against immigration raids.

Cities including Dallas, Houston and Miami have entered into agreements enabling local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, which Amnesty said could increase racial profiling and reduce trust between communities and police.

Risks in Canada and Mexico

The report also identified concerns in Canada and Mexico.

In Canada, Amnesty pointed to the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and an ongoing housing crisis as factors raising fears that people experiencing homelessness could be displaced during the World Cup. It cited the closure of a winter warming centre in Toronto on 15 March after the venue was pre-booked for tournament use.

In Mexico, authorities have mobilised around 100,000 security personnel, including military forces, in response to high levels of violence. Amnesty said this could pose risks to individuals participating in protests.

Among those planning demonstrations are women’s groups seeking justice for disappeared relatives, including a planned protest during the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Freedom of Expression and Protest

Amnesty warned that restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly across all three host countries could affect World Cup-related activities.

The organisation noted that protests have already taken place in the United States, Canada and Mexico on issues including immigration enforcement, international conflicts and local grievances linked to tournament preparations.

It reported that some demonstrations in Canada, including student encampments, had been dispersed by police, while protests in Mexico have been linked to concerns over infrastructure development, water access and rising costs.

In the United States, Amnesty cited cases of actions taken against protesters, including foreign-born students demonstrating over the conflict in Gaza.

Calls for Action

Amnesty International said that preparations for the tournament have not sufficiently addressed these risks. According to the organisation, only four of the 16 host cities have published human rights plans, and none include measures addressing immigration enforcement.

“This World Cup is no longer the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” Cockburn said, calling for urgent action to ensure protections for fans and communities.

The organisation urged FIFA and host governments to ensure that the rights of all individuals involved in the tournament are safeguarded, including protection from discrimination, unlawful detention and restrictions on protest.

Safety and Inclusion Concerns

Amnesty also reported that some groups, including members of LGBTQI+ communities in Europe, have expressed concerns about their safety and visibility during the tournament.

“With just over 10 weeks until the World Cup kicks off, FIFA’s commitment to a tournament where everyone ‘feels safe, included, and free to exercise their rights’ requires urgent action,” Cockburn said.

The organisation stated that the success of the tournament should not come at the expense of the rights of fans, workers and local communities, and called for those rights to remain central to World Cup planning and implementation.