Human Rights Watch Raises Concerns Ahead of World Cup

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a warning regarding the upcoming World Cup, set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The organization highlights concerns about exclusion and fear stemming from a crackdown on immigration and press freedom.

Maja Lieb, head of the America desk at Amnesty International Germany, emphasized that fans, journalists, and other travelers to the U.S. may face detention, deportation, and discrimination due to the current political climate shaped by the policies of former President Donald Trump. The report notes that under Trump's administration, there has been an increase in threats to press freedom and the right to peaceful protest.

HRW criticized FIFA, the world football governing body, for its weak response to Trump's policies, particularly in light of the ongoing U.S. immigration enforcement actions targeting undocumented migrants. The report cites that at least 167,000 people were arrested in the U.S. from January 2025 to March of the same year, raising significant concerns ahead of the tournament.