A report released by human rights group Amnesty International this Monday warns that the  FIFA World Cup 2026 to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer poses "significant risks and impacts for fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities alike."

The report, entitled "Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup," singles out the United States, which is to host the vast majority of the 104 football matches (78), for particularly strong criticism.

It describes the situation as a "human rights emergency" and points to what it calls a "recognizable pattern of authoritarian practices" in the country.

"Armed agents are breaking down doors, detaining children and have deported hundreds of thousands of people," it says, in reference to the actions of ICE immigration officials who have been deployed to some US states, most notably Minnesota, where two US citizens were shot dead in January.

It also cites the New York Times, which has estimated that more than 500,000 people were deported from the United States in 2025.

The 36-page report adds that "LGBTQI+ fan groups say it is not safe to have a visible presence, and supporters of four qualifying countries are barred from entering the country."

According to congress.gov, citizens of Haiti and Iran are subject to complete bans on entering the United States, while two others, Ivory Coast and Senegal, are subject to partial travel restrictions. Whether Iran will even take part in the tournament has been cast into doubt by the US-Israel war on the country.

While Canada and Mexico are only scheduled to host 13 World Cup soccer matches each, they also come in for criticism in the report.

Amnesty says the authorities in Mexico have mobilized 100,000 security personnel, including the military, in response to high levels of violence in the country. It also notes that a women's group seeking answers about more than 133,000 people listed as disappeared is planning a peaceful protest outside the opening match of the World Cup at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

As for Canada, the report cites fears that homeless people could be further marginalized, particularly in host cities Vancouver and Toronto. It also says that, like in the United States and Mexico, Canada has imposed restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, referring to "waves of demonstrations in support of Palestinian human rights, as well as student encampments demanding divestment from Israel’s genocide," which were "unduly dispersed or cleared" by police.

"The 2026 World Cup threatens to deliver more repression than football. Anyone who protests or expresses criticism must expect repression at the World Cup," said  Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany Julia Duchrow.

"If the raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the mass arrests, and the entry bans continue, this tournament will become a symbol of state intimidation."

Many of the issues criticized in the report aren't completely new, having also been highlighted by the Sport & Rights Alliance, of which Amnesty is a member, in the lead up to last December's World Cup draw in Washington. In a statement back then, the group called for "Concrete Protections for Workers, Athletes, Fans, Journalists, and Children" at the 2026 World Cup.

Now Amnesty International's Germany boss Duchrow has issued a similar call, saying: "FIFA and host countries must now present binding safeguarding mechanisms that will allow all participants to enjoy a World Cup without fear and exclusion."

FIFA has not yet responded specifically to this report. In Article 3 of its statutes, football's governing body states that it is "committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights."

In 2025, its president Gianni Infantino also promised that "Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year."

Edited by: Andreas Illmer