Global: New report exposes human rights failures at 2026 Men’s World Cup
The 2026 Men’s World Cup exposed a failure of FIFA’s leadership to implement its own human rights policies, with the pursuit of record revenues prioritised over fairness and equality, the Sport & Rights Alliance and Football Supporters Europe said in a joint report released today. The 50-page report, “Profit Over People: The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup,” documents a tournament marked by a climate of fear given the backdrop of mass immigration detentions and deportations; discriminatory visa bans; cost and accessibility barriers for fans, players and journalists; unclear safeguarding and eligibility standards; and lack of effective access to remedy.
“The unity and joy we saw on the pitch and in the stands were a world away from the fear and division beyond the stadiums. ICE raids surged, protests were blocked and discriminatory visa policies kept many fans from enjoying what was billed as ‘the most inclusive World Cup ever’,” said Frank Conde Tangberg, Policy Advisor at Amnesty International. “Many of these violations stemmed from repressive and abusive government policies, but FIFA failed to use its leverage to protect fans and local communities. It spent its political capital on maximising revenue rather than standing up for human rights.”