Amnesty International raises alarm over deportations, protests ahead of FIFA World Cup

A new report released on Monday, 30 March, by Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could expose millions of fans to serious human rights risks, particularly in the United States, where the majority of matches will be held.

The report, titled Humanity Must Win: Defending rights, tackling repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlights concerns across all three host nations—United States, Canada and Mexico—including threats to freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and the safety of local communities.

According to Amnesty International, the situation is most acute in the United States under President Donald Trump, where it says a “human rights emergency” is unfolding due to aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

The organization cited mass detentions, arbitrary arrests, and widespread deportations carried out by agencies such as US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Customs and Border Protection.

Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, said more than 500,000 people were deported from the United States in 2025 alone, warning that the erosion of due process has created “a climate of fear” that could affect both residents and visiting fans during the tournament.

The report also raises concerns about the impact of these policies on World Cup host cities, noting that local authorities in cities such as Dallas, Houston and Miami have entered agreements with federal immigration agencies, increasing the risk of racial profiling and undermining trust in law enforcement.

In addition, Amnesty International highlighted previous federal deployments of thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids, warning that similar measures during the World Cup could threaten civil liberties.

Beyond the United States, the report points to risks in the other host countries. In Mexico, the deployment of around 100,000 security personnel—including military forces—has raised fears that protests could be suppressed, particularly by activists planning demonstrations linked to disappearances and social justice issues in Mexico City.

In Canada, Amnesty International warned that preparations for the tournament could worsen an already deepening housing crisis, citing concerns that people experiencing homelessness may be displaced, echoing the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The organization also flagged travel restrictions that could prevent fans from several countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Iran and Senegal, from entering the United States, alongside proposals for intrusive screening measures such as social media vetting.

Amnesty International further warned that restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly across all three host nations could undermine the inclusive spirit of the tournament. It noted that protests—often a feature of global sporting events—risk being repressed, with recent examples including crackdowns on demonstrations in North America.

With just weeks to go before the tournament begins, Amnesty International urged FIFA and host governments to take immediate action to safeguard human rights.

“This World Cup is no longer the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be,” said Cockburn.

“Urgent steps are needed to ensure fans, players, workers and communities are protected, and that the tournament lives up to its promise of being safe, inclusive and respectful of human rights,” he said.

Amnesty International added that while FIFA stands to generate record revenues from the competition, the rights and safety of those involved must remain at the centre of the event.