A Amnesty International warned this Monday that the 2026 football World Cup could expose millions of fans to serious risks of human rights violations, mainly due to restrictive migration policies, limitations on freedom of expression and security measures considered disproportionate.
In a report titled Humanity Must Win: Defend rights, combat repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the organization maintains that fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities may face negative consequences associated with the tournament, especially in the United States, where around three quarters of the games are expected to take place.
According to Amnesty International, the North American context is characterized by immigration policies considered discriminatory and large-scale detentions carried out by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The organization states that, by 2025, more than 500,000 people will have been deported by US authorities, a number higher than the capacity expected for the tournament final at MetLife Stadium.
Steve Cockburndirector of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty International, said that the increase in detentions and deportations has been accompanied by a weakening of due process guarantees, creating a climate of fear among migrant and refugee communities. According to the official, this context could also affect international fans who wish to travel to the country to watch the games.
The organization also expresses concern about possible restrictions on the entry of fans from some countries, due to visa policies and proposals that provide for the verification of content published on social networks by foreign visitors, considered intrusive from the point of view of privacy and freedom of expression.
The report also refers to recent episodes of mobilization of security forces in North American host cities. In Los Angeles, approximately 4,000 National Guard members deployed as of June 2025following protests against several immigration inspection operations decided by President Donald Trump’s administration.
No Mexico, the mobilization of around 100 thousand security agentsincluding military forces, to respond to high levels of violence is identified as an increased risk factor for protesters. Examples cited include activists planning peaceful protests during the inaugural game at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, demanding justice for cases of enforced disappearances.
Already In Canada, Amnesty International warns of possible social impacts associated with the organization of the tournament, including the displacement of homeless people. In Toronto, a winter shelter closed in March after the space was reserved for FIFA-related use. The organization also recalls precedents associated with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which raised similar criticisms regarding the social impact on vulnerable populations.
Given this scenario, the Amnesty International appealed to FIFA and the authorities of the three organizing countries to adopt urgent measures to ensure that the 2026 World Cup takes place in a safe environment that respects human rights. The organization also asked for a direct response from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlighting the need to ensure that the tournament fulfills its commitment to be “safe, welcoming and inclusive” for all participants and spectators.
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