A report released by Amnesty International warns that the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, poses “significant risks and impacts for fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities alike.”
Titled “Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” the 36-page report singles out the United States, which will host the majority of the 104 matches (78), for particularly strong criticism. It describes the situation as a “human rights emergency” and points to what it calls a “recognizable pattern of authoritarian practices” in the country.
The report highlights actions by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying “armed agents are breaking down doors, detaining children and have deported hundreds of thousands of people,” and refers to ICE deployments in states such as Minnesota, where two US citizens were shot dead in January. It also cites The New York Times’ estimate that more than 500,000 people were deported from the United States in 2025.
Amnesty notes that LGBTQI+ fan groups say it is not safe to have a visible presence, and that supporters from four qualifying countries face entry bans. According to Congress.gov, citizens of Haiti and Iran face complete bans on entering the United States, while Ivory Coast and Senegal are subject to partial travel restrictions. Iran’s participation in the tournament has also been cast into doubt amid the US-Israel war on the country.
While Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches, the report criticizes both countries as well. In Mexico, authorities have mobilized around 100,000 security personnel, including the military, in response to high levels of violence. Amnesty highlights a planned peaceful protest outside the opening match at Azteca Stadium by a women’s group seeking answers about more than 133,000 people listed as disappeared.
In Canada, the report warns that homeless people could be further marginalized in host cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. It also says Canada has imposed restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, citing the dispersal of demonstrations supporting Palestinian human rights and student encampments demanding divestment from Israel.
“The 2026 World Cup threatens to deliver more repression than football. Anyone who protests or expresses criticism must expect repression at the World Cup,” said Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany. “If the raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the mass arrests, and the entry bans continue, this tournament will become a symbol of state intimidation.”
Many of the issues flagged by Amnesty were previously raised by the Sport & Rights Alliance ahead of last December’s World Cup draw in Washington, which called for “Concrete Protections for Workers, Athletes, Fans, Journalists, and Children” at the 2026 World Cup.
Duchrow urged that “FIFA and host countries must now present binding safeguarding mechanisms that will allow all participants to enjoy a World Cup without fear and exclusion.”
FIFA has not yet responded specifically to the report. Its statutes state that it is “committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights.” In 2025, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, “Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year.”
Edited by: Andreas Illmer