Amnesty International Warns 2026 World Cup Could Become Platform for Repression and Rights Violations

A comprehensive new report from Amnesty International has raised alarming concerns about the 2026 World Cup, warning that the tournament risks becoming "a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices" across its three host nations.

The 36-page analysis, titled "Humanity Must Win: Defending rights, tackling repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup," identifies what the organization calls "significant risks" to fans, players, journalists, workers, and local communities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Amnesty's head of economic and social justice, Steve Cockburn, delivered particularly stark statistics about current conditions in the United States, which will host 78 of the tournament's matches across 11 cities. The organization revealed that the US government deported more than 500,000 people in 2025, representing six times the capacity of MetLife Stadium, where the World Cup final will be held.

The report identifies what it terms "the machine of abusive, discriminatory and deadly immigration enforcement and mass detention in the USA" as the most serious threat facing tournament visitors. This concern has intensified following recent incidents, including ICE agents fatally shooting two American citizens during immigration operations in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has positioned itself as "a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup," according to statements from the agency's acting head. However, Amnesty argues that neither FIFA nor US authorities have provided adequate guarantees protecting fans and local communities from ethnic profiling, indiscriminate raids, or unlawful detention.

The organization's analysis extends beyond immigration enforcement to encompass broader surveillance concerns. Proposals under consideration include requiring visitors to provide social media account access for security vetting and screening for "anti-Americanism," creating what Amnesty characterizes as an intrusive monitoring environment.

Only four of the 16 host cities have published human rights plans, and none address protection from aggressive immigration enforcement practices. This lack of coordination between federal immigration policy and local tournament preparations has created uncertainty about visitor safety.

Federal agents and National Guard deployments to major US cities over the past year, part of expanded immigration enforcement, have sparked protests and legal challenges in Democrat-led municipalities like Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Mexico faces different but equally concerning challenges, according to the report. The country's response to escalating drug cartel violence has included plans to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel for World Cup protection, raising questions about the militarization of tournament security.

Canada confronts housing crisis issues that Amnesty warns could lead to displacement of homeless populations, pushing vulnerable communities further to society's margins during tournament preparations.

Football Supporters Europe expressed "extreme concern" about the ongoing militarization of US police forces ahead of the World Cup, reflecting broader anxiety within international fan communities about visiting America during the current political climate.

FIFA has maintained that safety and security remain its "top priority," emphasizing close collaboration with local authorities to deliver comprehensive security measures. The organization previously assessed the 2026 tournament as "medium risk," though Amnesty argues circumstances have evolved significantly since that evaluation.

The White House World Cup Task Force has promised "the largest, safest, and most welcoming sporting event in history," highlighting America's hospitality and security commitment. Officials pledge that fans can expect "a smooth, secure, and truly unforgettable tournament."

However, Amnesty's report challenges these assurances, arguing that current conditions represent a fundamental departure from the tournament's original promises of inclusivity and welcome. The organization calls on host governments to meet international human rights obligations while demanding that FIFA, national federations, and sponsors acknowledge their responsibilities to respect human rights.

The report's findings place additional scrutiny on FIFA's decision-making process for World Cup hosting, particularly given previous controversies surrounding tournament locations and their human rights records.