Civil liberties organisations have issued a stark warning that players, fans, and journalists attending this summer's World Cup in the United States could face "serious harm" due to the country's immigration crackdown. A coalition of 120 groups, spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), released a travel advisory on Thursday, urging visitors to the US to "exercise caution".
Risks highlighted by the ACLU
The advisory highlights that while the "rising authoritarianism" of President Donald Trump's administration presents a significant risk to everyone, individuals from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals have been, and continue to be, disproportionately targeted and impacted. The ACLU detailed potential human rights abuses, which could include racial profiling and discrimination by law enforcement, intrusive social media screening and searches of electronic devices, the suppression of speech and protest, and the risk of cruel or inhuman treatment.
FIFA's role under scrutiny
Civil liberties organisations are concerned about FIFA President Gianni Infantino's close friendship with Donald Trump. "As the human rights climate in the US deteriorates, it is critical for FIFA to advocate for policy changes that align with international human rights and ensure that players, fans, and journalists can participate safely," an ACLU statement said. "Instead, FIFA has spent the last year closely aligning itself with the Trump administration by hosting its recent tournament draw at the Kennedy Center, a place where President Trump received the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize."
Reports suggest FIFA is considering seeking a moratorium on raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials during the finals, though this remains unconfirmed. The ACLU's statement added: "ICE continues to act with little accountability or regard for human dignity, and should be reined in both during and beyond the FIFA World Cup games."
FIFA's response
In response to the travel advisory, a FIFA spokesperson stated: "As per article 3 of the FIFA Statutes, FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights. The development and publication of the FWC2026 Sustainability and Human Rights Strategy, the FWC2026 Human Rights Framework, and the recently updated FIFA Statement on Human Rights Defenders and Media Representatives as well as the establishment of an FWC2026 Human Rights Advisory Group comprised of independent experts and the wide advertisement of the FIFA Human Rights Grievance Mechanism, are all evidence of FIFA's commitment to human rights across all key activities and actors connected to the tournament."
ICE has also been approached for comment.
