The Sport & Rights Alliance has issued a call for FIFA to take definitive action in safeguarding human rights as preparations ramp up for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. With the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the Alliance has voiced concerns about burgeoning threats to civil liberties, primarily within the United States. This apprehension stems from potential impediments to FIFA’s professed human rights obligations. Andrea Florence, the Executive Director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, noted the importance of the host nations’ adherence to the human rights commitments outlined in their initial bid. Florence elaborated that continuation of FIFA’s ‘football unites the world’ mantra may falter if discriminatory policies persist, potentially exacerbating social divides.
Immigration policies in the US are under scrutiny, with severe policies that could exclude fans, media, and participants from numerous countries. This situation has intensified with recent reports indicated plans to transfer thousands of undocumented migrants to Guantánamo Bay, sparking criticism for using a facility noted for extralegal conditions before deportation.
Another critical issue highlighted is freedom of expression. The Alliance pointed out an increasing crackdown on political speech, including visa revocations for student activists and the deployment of National Guard troops in response to immigration protests. These developments echo FIFA’s earlier criticized restrictions on expression, such as during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Furthermore, the Alliance is worried about escalating attacks on LGBTI rights in the US, noting that certain states have criminalized gender-affirming care for minors, as reported by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Such legislation, it warns, is causing severe distress to affected youth and their families.
Labor rights also remain a significant concern, as the tournament will require a vast temporary workforce. Without enforceable protections, this workforce is at risk of exploitation. The General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Luc Triangle, urged FIFA to insist on robust social dialogue and binding agreements to assure worker protection.
Lastly, concerns related to corruption and transparency demand attention. The Sport & Rights Alliance emphasized the rollback of anti-corruption regulations in the US and Mexico, raising fears about potential misuse of World Cup-related funds. Transparency International has called for comprehensive risk management mechanisms to thwart corruption. As the Alliance urged, FIFA must update its human rights due diligence assessment and ensure effective grievance mechanisms for those affected by any transgressions.
These calls to action form a collective responsibility aimed at reinforcing FIFA’s role as a global arbiter of human rights. The full press release by the Sport & Rights Alliance can be accessed here.