With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Amnesty International has raised serious concerns about human rights risks. The global football event is set to begin on June 11. It will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Amnesty stated that the World Cup may not meet earlier promises of being safe and inclusive. The group highlighted growing issues in the United States. These include strict immigration policies, mass deportations, and limits on public protests.
Steve Cockburn, a senior official at Amnesty, described the situation as worrying. He said the current environment does not reflect the values expected from a global event. According to him, fans may face challenges while attending World Cup matches and celebrations.
The United States will host most of the matches, including the final. Amnesty reported that over 500,000 people were deported last year. This number is much higher than the seating capacity of major stadiums. The group warned that such enforcement actions could affect fans and communities during the tournament.
Amnesty urged FIFA to take action before the World Cup begins. It asked for clear guarantees that immigration enforcement will not happen near stadiums or fan zones. The group also called for protection of the right to peaceful protests during the event.
There are also concerns about travel restrictions. Amnesty said that fans from several countries face entry bans. These include Senegal, Ivory Coast, Haiti, and Iran. The organization called for these restrictions to be reviewed before the tournament.
In Mexico, authorities plan to deploy around 100,000 security personnel. This includes about 20,000 troops. Amnesty warned that such heavy security could lead to human rights violations. Past cases have included reports of abuse and forced disappearances.
Local protests have already taken place in Mexico. Residents raised concerns about housing, water shortages, and displacement linked to World Cup preparations. Women’s groups are also planning marches during the opening days.
In Canada, Amnesty pointed to risks for homeless communities. Preparations for the World Cup could worsen living conditions for vulnerable groups.
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As the tournament nears, Amnesty is calling for stronger safeguards. The group believes that protecting rights is key to ensuring a successful World Cup for all.
