Human rights group warns 2026 World Cup will be played in a ‘climate of fear’
June 5 – The human rights organisation Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA) has cautioned that the 2026 World Cup will be played in a “climate of fear”.
FIFA has repeatedly claimed the World Cup and its activities are a unifying factor and provider of happiness, but at a news conference Andrea Florence of the SRA said: “FIFA has promised a safe, welcoming and inclusive tournament in its human rights framework. But the anti-human rights rhetoric and immigration policy of US President Donald Trump instead stirs fear.”
In a letter, headlined ‘Keep the World in the World Cup’, SRA and a coalition of rights organisations demand FIFA addresses a series of pressing issues, including: a public commitment from the US government that it will refrain from measures to enforce immigration law during the World Cup; a guarantee that all qualified teams, media representatives and fans affected by discriminatory visa and entry bans will have equal access to the tournament and stadiums; a commitment to press freedom and independent and transparent monitoring of human rights.
FIFA has largely ignored these demands. Zurich also came under fire for a lack of safeguarding protections for children during the tournament, but in March, FIFA adopted a global framework applicable across all its competitions.
The letter concluded: “FIFA has the leverage – and the legal and moral responsibility – to stand up to demand protections for everyone who will work at or attend the 2026 World Cup.”
It’s not the first time that the World Cup has raised human rights questions. The previous finals in Qatar were overshadowed by the plight of migrant workers who helped transform the country in time for the tournament, toiling to construct stadiums, hotels and other infrastructure.
Under pressure from the Norwegian FA (NFF), FIFA commissioned a report through its sub-committee for human rights and social responsibility to address the question of compensation for migrant workers and their families. The subcommittee adopted the report which recommended compensation, but FIFA ignored it.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first one with a comprehensive human rights policy adopted in its tournament hosting agreements. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Sustainability & Human Rights Strategy mandates localised Human Rights Action plans in all 16 host cities.
FIFA has been contacted for comment.
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