Amnesty warns of United States human rights emergency ahead of World Cup
Amnesty International has warned the United States is facing a “human rights emergency” ahead of the 2026 World Cup due to severe anti-immigration policies and protest restrictions.
A new report by the campaign group highlights the perceived threat posed by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to travelling fans, local communities, and even the players themselves.
The upcoming tournament, expanded to 48 teams for the first time, will be jointly hosted across North America by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
However, the latest findings suggest that restrictions on freedom of expression across all three host nations could severely undermine the safe and inclusive event promised by world football’s governing body, Fifa.
Immigration policies spark safety fears
The comprehensive document focuses heavily on the United States and the potential impact of discriminatory immigration policies implemented under Donald Trump’s administration.
Researchers point to the significant risks immigrant communities may face when gathering for matches or travelling to the stadiums.
Currently, only four of the 16 host cities have published formal human rights plans ahead of the summer competition.
None of these existing municipal frameworks include explicit protections against immigration enforcement, while cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Miami have established controversial agreements to collaborate with ICE.
Travel bans and surveillance concerns
International supporters from nations including Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran, and Senegal will be barred from entering the host country without a valid visa secured before 1 January 2026.
The charity also highlighted the prospect of intrusive surveillance, detailing proposals that would force foreign visitors to submit their social media accounts to authorities for screening.
Steve Cockburn, head of economic and social justice at the organisation, stressed the lack of reassurance from governing bodies regarding racial profiling and indiscriminate raids.
“Despite the astounding numbers of arrests and deportations, neither FIFA nor the US authorities have provided any guarantees that fans and local communities will be safe from ethnic and racial profiling, indiscriminate raids, or unlawful detention and deportation.”
Cockburn added that the US government deported more than half a million people in 2025.
The official noted that this staggering deportation figure was more than six times the expected attendance for the tournament finale at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
