Several international organizations representing human rights and trade unions have asked FIFA, along with other corporate stakeholders and host countries, to implement specific commitments to help ensure protection of their fans, players, workers, and media personnel at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, which began June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, is being jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A. The tournament spans 16 host cities and will take place over six weeks. As 6.5 million visitors are predicted to attend the event, the Sport & Rights Alliance, an organization bringing together Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Reporters Without Borders, and others, has requested that FIFA implement the commitments made in its World Cup 2026 Human Rights Framework, particularly the “ICE Truce” proposal.

“Fans, journalists and others traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup risk encountering a deeply troubling human rights landscape,” said Daniel Norña, Americas Advocacy Director at Amnesty International U.S.A. For example, the supporters of four qualifying nations have been denied entry into the country before the start of the competition, based on information provided by Amnesty International. Commenting on this development, Minky Worden, who serves as Sport director at Human Rights Watch, remarked in a statement issued on June 11, “FIFA must do more to protect players, fans, and workers from the abuse being perpetrated by the U.S. government.” Indeed, journalists are also at risk: Mario Guevara, an Emmy-winning reporter, was recently arrested while covering a political demonstration in Atlanta, which will serve as one of the host cities during the FIFA World Cup. He was sent into ICE custody, then deported to his native El Salvador.

The 2026 World Cup represents a confrontation between what could be described as the most important sporting platform in the world and an ongoing conversation about human rights. FIFA’s commitment to mitigating any negative human rights impacts of organizing the 2026 World Cup, as seen in the 2026 World Cup Human Rights Framework, will either make the World Cup an event where human rights are protected or be seen as merely a rhetorical effort to shape its legacy. Mega-sporting events are typically characterized by strong international collaboration and dialogue as well as inclusivity, so using them for discriminatory purposes contradicts their essence.

This is the first-ever World Cup with three host nations, with a record number of games (104), and with the highest-ever projected revenues of approximately $11 billion. The draw for this World Cup took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. on December 5, 2025. During this event, FIFA also honored the President of the United States, Donald Trump, with its first-ever “FIFA Peace Prize”. Many human rights activists condemned this contradictory move, citing increased measures for immigration enforcement by the U.S. in its cities, as well as FIFA’s suspension of its anti-racism programs. Sport & Rights Alliance is calling on FIFA to take necessary steps against racial profiling, arbitrary detention, and illegal immigration enforcement within its World Cup. They also call on FIFA to create a child safeguarding policy and to sign a good community benefit agreement. FIFA’s two corporate partners, namely Coca-Cola and Visa Corporation, are seen supporting the Centre for Sport and Human Rights.

The six weeks ahead offer FIFA, its sponsors, and the host countries an immediate chance to implement the pledges made under the Human Rights Framework. According to the suggested “ICE Truce,” which is backed by the Sport & Rights Alliance and the Independent Supporters Council North America, a public guarantee must be made that there will be no immigration raids on games or venues during the tournament period. Activists are further calling for better protection for the media, improved community benefits deals, and inclusion of host communities in discussions about their needs and concerns. For the many thousands of immigrants living in the cities mentioned, for families whose supporters have been banned from attending, and for the media covering the event, the answer to whether the biggest sporting event in the world ends up being a time for international cooperation will be seen on the ground in the following weeks.