A coalition of more than 120 rights organisations has urged supporters, players and journalists heading to this summer’s tournament to “exercise caution” when travelling to the United States.
The joint advisory cites what campaigners describe as “the Trump administration’s violent and abusive immigration crackdown” and warns that minority groups are “vulnerable to serious harm”.
The statement also criticises Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, over his relationship with Donald Trump.
“The Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all,” the message states as quoted by the BBC.
Among the signatories is the American Civil Liberties Union, which called on FIFA to pressure US authorities “to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games”.
Fifa has yet to respond directly to the advisory but said it is “committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights”.
The tournament, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 78 of the 104 matches scheduled to take place on US soil.
Campaigners say travellers face risks including denial of entry, arrest, travel restrictions, social media screening, racial profiling and increased surveillance. They highlight travel bans affecting nationals from four participating nations: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
Visitors are advised to remove sensitive information from their phones and keep family and friends updated while travelling.
The signatories accuse FIFA of failing to offer “concrete guarantees” on safety “while its president, Gianni Infantino, has aligned himself closer to the Trump administration”. NOP NIGERIA reports that Infantino presented the US president with Fifa’s inaugural Peace Prize in December 2025.
Immigration enforcement has been central to the administration’s agenda, with the remit and funding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement significantly expanded. The agency has faced criticism over its tactics, particularly after the fatal shooting of two US citizens protesting against the crackdown.
Officials have confirmed ICE agents will form part of World Cup security. Earlier this year, supporter network Football Supporters Europe said it was “extremely concerned by the ongoing militarisation of police forces in the US”.
Last month, Amnesty International warned the competition risked becoming “a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices”.
In response, the White House World Cup Task Force said the event would be “the largest, safest, and most welcoming sporting event in history”. It added that fans “can look forward to a smooth, secure, and truly unforgettable tournament”.
