Football: 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and Human Rights
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
More than 120 organisations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have issued a 'travel advisory' which urges fans, players, journalists, and other visitors to this summer's World Cup to "exercise caution" because of what they claim is "the Trump administration's violent and abusive immigration crackdown".
The organisations have called upon FIFA to put pressure on the US authorities "to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games".
In response, FIFA has stated that:
“FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights".
And has added that:
“FIFA has a commitment to human rights across all key activities and actors connected to the tournament."
The US is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, and 78 of the 104 scheduled matches at the tournament are being played in the US.
The US Authorities have not yet commented on this matter.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
