FIFA faces backlash as Trump’s immigration agenda threatens World Cup 

Civil groups in the USA are warning travellers of serious rights violations after Trump doubled down on its oppressive immigration and anti-human rights agenda. Moreover, this is happening in the run-up to the Men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.

The signatories to the letter include Amnesty, NAACP, and ACLU, among others.

Fans, journalists and others traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup risk encountering a deeply troubling human rights landscape.

If the U.S. government and host cities cannot guarantee the rights and safety of all, this tournament risks falling far short of…

— Amnesty International USA (@amnestyusa) April 23, 2026

The joint press release said that with fewer than two months to go, FIFA and host city organisers have said nothing publicly about their plans to protect residents, workers, and visitors.

FIFA is deeply embedded with the Trump administration. In addition, the governing football body, FIFA, has been collaborating with Trump and Israel’s forced annexation of Gaza.

Amnesty said that:

If the U.S. government and host cities cannot guarantee the rights and safety of all, this tournament risks falling far short of FIFA’s promise of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive event, for traveling fans, journalists, players, and people already living in the U.S. alike.

FIFA will happily take Trump’s money and Israel’s political cover. However, it won’t utter a single word to protect the travellers, fans, and journalists heading to its showpiece event.

Featured image via the Canary