Amnesty International has issued a stark warning to football fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning that spectators attending matches in the United States, Canada, and Mexico could face “alarming human rights violations.” The organisation highlighted that promises by FIFA and the host nations to make the tournament “safe, inclusive, and enjoyable” are now under serious strain. Amnesty emphasised that restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful protest are undermining the overall World Cup experience.
In a report released on Sunday, Amnesty International stated that the United States, one of the main hosts, is currently navigating a “critical human rights situation,” while the human rights climates of Mexico and Canada also raise significant concern.
Host Countries: Key Human Rights Risks
| Country | Primary Concern | Details | Security Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Discriminatory immigration policies | ICE and CBP agents conducting mass arrests and detentions; racial profiling concerns | White House task force overseeing safety measures for the tournament |
| Mexico | Escalating violence | Nearly 100,000 military and security personnel deployed to control crime | Potential risks for civilians attending matches |
| Canada | Rights of homeless populations | Toronto’s Winter Warming Centre closed to make way for FIFA event | Displacement of vulnerable populations |
Amnesty’s report singles out the United States for the most severe concerns. Of the 104 matches in the 2026 tournament, 78 are scheduled in the U.S. The organisation strongly criticises U.S. immigration policies, highlighting mass arrests by masked, armed ICE and CBP agents as a major risk to spectators.
Responding to the concerns, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told The Athletic, “All efforts are being made to ensure the World Cup is safe and successful. Fans, families, and athletes from around the world should enjoy an unhindered and memorable experience.” They added that more than a year of preparation is underway, with a White House task force prioritising security and monitoring potential threats to ensure the tournament runs smoothly.
Visa Restrictions and Spectator Risks
Steve Cockburn of Amnesty noted that in 2025 over 500,000 individuals were deported from the U.S., nearly eight times the number of spectators expected for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. He warned that weak legal safeguards, mass deportations, and racial profiling create a climate of fear affecting both local communities and visiting supporters.
Certain countries’ fans face additional visa hurdles. Under a controversial “Visa Bond Pilot Program,” visitors may need to post a bond of up to $15,000. The programme affects citizens from 50 countries, including Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia—five of which have qualified for the World Cup. Cape Verde, with a population of just 525,000, will make its men’s World Cup debut, with supporters facing substantial challenges due to these restrictions.
Amnesty also highlighted U.S. travel bans affecting fans from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran, and Senegal, alongside intrusive surveillance measures for other visitors, such as social media scrutiny to detect “anti-American” sentiment.
Of the 16 host cities, 11 are in the U.S., and only four have published human rights plans, none addressing protection against immigration-related persecution. Cockburn stressed: “FIFA will earn record revenues from the World Cup, but ordinary fans, local communities, players, journalists, and workers should not bear the cost. Their rights must remain at the heart of this tournament.”
The 2026 World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July, yet human rights concerns cast a shadow over what is expected to be one of football’s most monumental global events.