Amnesty Warns 2026 World Cup Could Become ‘Stage for Repression’
Amnesty Warns 2026 World Cup Could Become ‘Stage for Repression’
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Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, risks becoming a “stage for repression,” urging urgent action to protect fans, players, and local communities.
In its report Humanity Must Win, the rights group highlighted concerns over human rights in host countries, especially the U.S., citing mass deportations, arbitrary arrests, and “paramilitary-style” operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Amnesty noted that no U.S. host city plans address how fans would be safeguarded from ICE actions.
The organization also warned that travel bans affecting fans from Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Iran, and Senegal could limit attendance. Amnesty called on FIFA and host nations to ensure human rights are central to the tournament.
FIFA has confirmed the 48-team tournament will proceed as scheduled, projecting revenues of $11 billion, despite ongoing international tensions affecting Iran’s participation.
