The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway with the promise of an inclusive and safe tournament, but also with growing warning signs surrounding human rights. In a context marked by political and social tensions in the host countries, the world’s most important football event is beginning to be observed not only for its sporting magnitude, but also for the conditions in which millions of people will experience it.

In this scenario, Amnesty International has raised the alarm, warning that the tournament risks becoming a “stage for repression.” Through its report The Humanity Must Win, the organization urged the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as FIFA, to take urgent measures to protect fans, players, journalists, and local communities.

A World Cup under tension: security, migration, and freedoms under debate

The report states that, particularly in the United States—where most matches will be played—there is a “human rights emergency” linked to restrictive migration policies, mass deportations, and arbitrary detentions. According to the organization, these practices have created a climate of fear that could extend to those traveling to or participating in the tournament, putting pressure on the promise of an open and global event.

In this context, the role of ICE becomes especially significant. Its acting director stated that the agency will be a “key part of the World Cup security framework,” which has raised concerns about potential operations affecting migrant communities and fans. Added to this are travel restrictions impacting supporters from various countries, as well as concerns expressed by groups such as European LGBTQ+ collectives, who have questioned their attendance due to safety reasons.

Human rights at stake: the challenge of a truly inclusive tournament

Beyond the United States, the report also examines the situations in Canada and Mexico, identifying risks related to social protests, housing crises, and security deployments that could lead to restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. In Mexico, for example, the mobilization of thousands of security personnel and the backdrop of structural violence raise concerns about the handling of demonstrations, while in Canada fears have resurfaced regarding the displacement of vulnerable people in host cities.

From Amnesty International, they insist that the central challenge is not only organizational, but also ethical. The organization warns that the gap between FIFA’s official narrative—promising a safe and inclusive tournament—and the reality on the ground could widen if concrete measures are not adopted. In the words of Steve Cockburn, head of economic and social justice, football belongs to the people, and they must be at the center of every decision, especially in an event that will mobilize millions of stories, expectations, and diverse realities.