FIFA has come under scrutiny amid concerns surrounding the organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with some matches scheduled to take place in the United States. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed serious reservations due to the country’s increasingly strict border controls, attributed in part to the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump’s administration, reports the Baltimore Chronicle.
In a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, HRW urged the football governing body to define clear conditions for changes in U.S. immigration practices in order to ensure the protection of players, fans, and all tournament participants. Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at HRW, emphasized the need for firm guarantees in case individuals face discrimination, arbitrary detentions, or unjustified interrogations during the event.
According to Politico, FIFA expects up to 6.5 million spectators to attend the 2026 World Cup matches, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Additionally, 3.7 million fans are projected to attend this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
HRW referenced FIFA’s own human rights policy, which commits the organization to promoting and protecting fundamental rights throughout all of its events. The watchdog has requested a detailed explanation of how FIFA intends to uphold these obligations, especially in light of the current U.S. immigration environment.
Earlier we wrote that only three regional centers in Ukraine still absent from UPL.