A little more than a year after the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026more than 120 civil society organizations issued an unusual travel warning for the United States. The message is direct: fans, journalists, players and visitors could face risks related to human rights during their stay in the country.
According to information released by organizations such as Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Unionthe tightening of immigration and security policies under the leadership of donald trump could directly impact those traveling to the tournament.
The statement indicates that, in the absence of clear actions by FIFA and local authorities, there are multiple potential risks. These include arbitrary denial of entry into the country, immigration detentions, deportations, invasive digital surveillance and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Concern about immigration operations
One of the most sensitive points is the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE)who would participate in security tasks during the event. The organizations warn that their presence could lead to aggressive operations or racial profiling in host cities.
“The specter of immigration enforcement this summer has become the predominant concern,” said Jennifer Li, a member of the Dignity 2026 coalition. “We continue to wait for public commitments on How residents and visitors will be protected. The silence has been deafening,” he added.
It is estimated that the World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026will attract nearly 10 million people in different cities in the United States, becoming one of the largest sporting events in history, which is why the concern is no less.
Call to FIFA and authorities
The signatory organizations questioned FIFA’s stance, accusing it of not exerting enough pressure to ensure safe conditions. Jamil Dakwar, director of the ACLU human rights program, was blunt: “FIFA has been pretending to defend human rights as it moves closer to the Trump administration, putting millions of people at risk.”
Along the same lines, Daniel Noroña, from Amnesty International USA, warned that the tournament could be tarnished if basic rights are not guaranteed. “There is a risk that this World Cup will not live up to the promise of being an inclusive and safe event,” he said.
Recommendations for travelers
Faced with this scenario, the organizations issued a series of Practical recommendations for those planning to attend the World Cup. These include protecting electronic devices, deactivating biometric functions such as facial recognition and sharing itineraries with trusted people.
They also suggest inform yourself about legal rights in case of interaction with immigration or security authorities. “This advisory is intended to encourage fans to arrive prepared, stay safe and avoid preventable problems,” explained Bailey Brown of the Independent Fans Council of North America.
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