2026 World Cup in danger of becoming a platform for human rights abuses, Amnesty cautions.

A stark warning has been issued by Amnesty International, cautioning that this summer's football World Cup, spanning across the US, Canada, and Mexico, may become a platform for repression, as outlined in a report released on Monday.

n

The report, titled "Humanity Must Win", urges both FIFA and the host countries to take immediate action to safeguard the rights of fans, players, and local communities, as FIFA has pledged to deliver a tournament where everyone feels secure and included.

n

However, Amnesty International contends that this promise is at odds with the prevailing conditions in the host nations, particularly in the US, which is set to host 75% of the 104 matches, and is currently facing a "human rights emergency" under the Trump administration.

n

This emergency is characterized by mass deportations, arbitrary arrests, and aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, which have been likened to "paramilitary-style" tactics, prompting widespread concern and criticism.

n

The acting director of ICE has announced that the agency will play a key role in the World Cup's security apparatus, a move that has sparked outrage in the wake of the killing of two American citizens who were protesting ICE raids in Minneapolis in January.

n

Amnesty International has expressed concern that none of the host city plans address the protection of fans and local communities from ICE operations, leaving them vulnerable to potential human rights violations.

n

Fans from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran, and Senegal, who are participating in the World Cup, face US travel bans, while LGBTQ+ fan groups from England and Europe have opted not to attend matches in the US, citing risks to transgender supporters in particular.

n

According to the report, the World Cup is far from being a "medium risk" tournament, as initially assessed by FIFA, and urgent efforts are needed to bridge the gap between the tournament's original promise and the current reality.

n

FIFA has confirmed that the 48-team tournament, the largest in history, will proceed as scheduled, despite uncertainty surrounding Iran's participation due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and is expected to generate $11 billion in revenue.

n

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's head of economic and social justice, has emphasized that the rights of fans, communities, players, journalists, and workers must be prioritized, rather than allowing them to suffer the consequences of the tournament, and has stated that "it is these people — not governments, sponsors or FIFA -– to whom football belongs".

n

The 2026 World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium, with the final scheduled to take place on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.