Human rights organizations on Thursday warned travelers heading to the United States to attend the 2026 World Cup that they could be subjected to arbitrary detention or deportation, among “other human rights violations.” The warnings indicate that fans, players, journalists and other visitors may face racial discrimination, have their electronic devices searched, or risk being subjected to cruel or inhumane treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities.
Published on: 04/24/2026 - 09:10 Last updated: 04/24/2026 - 10:23
On Thursday, human rights organizations and associations issued warnings to travelers heading to the United States to attend the 2026 World Cup that they may be subjected to arbitrary detention or deportation, among other human rights violations.
Dozens of organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, signed this warning, which was issued less than two months before the start of this sporting event in Mexico.
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The tournament is being held against the backdrop of a widespread crackdown on immigrants launched by the administration of President Donald Trump and the erosion of federal protections for racial minorities and members of the LGBT community.
The warning says fans, players, journalists and other visitors could face racial discrimination, searches of their electronic devices, or risk being subjected to cruel or inhumane treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities.
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The organizations stated that members of immigrant communities, ethnic minorities, and LGBT individuals are “most vulnerable to serious harm” when traveling to the United States.
Accordingly, the organizations advised visitors to be careful and develop an emergency plan.
The American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement, “FIFA currently has unique leverage to pressure the US government to respect the basic human rights of every person who visits and attends matches, as well as those who work and live in the 11 US host cities.”
"For this reason, the American Civil Liberties Union and other members of the Dignity 2026 coalition are urging FIFA to act. But FIFA has not yet provided concrete guarantees," she added.
The US State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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In a statement, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) said: “In accordance with Article Three of the FIFA Statutes, FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and will strive to strengthen the protection of these rights.”
He pointed to several procedures and a rights advisory group as “evidence of FIFA’s commitment to human rights in all key activities and entities associated with the tournament.”
It is noteworthy that in March, Amnesty International issued a statement saying that the tournament was far from being “safe, welcoming and inclusive” as FIFA had originally promised.
The World Cup is scheduled to witness 104 matches being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada with its start in June. 11 American cities will host the matches of this sporting event
France 24/Reuters
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