Human rights groups and experts are raising "grave concerns" about the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, particularly due to U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies. There are fears that border crackdowns, visa restrictions, and potential detentions could deter international fans, despite FIFA's assurances. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for immediate action, highlighting policies affecting 2SLGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, and people of colour.
The FIFA World Cup is heading to Trump's U.S. Will the world want to come — or even be able to?
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Human rights groups and experts are raising "grave concerns" about the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, particularly due to U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies. There are fears that border crackdowns, visa restrictions, and potential detentions could deter international fans, despite FIFA's assurances. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for immediate action, highlighting policies affecting 2SLGBTQ+ people, religious minorities, and people of colour.
Trending- 1 2018: FIFA awarded the bid to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- 2 2022: FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
- 3 May 5 (last month): Human Rights Watch wrote an open letter to FIFA's president.
- 4 Early May: First World Cup task force meeting.
- 5 Wednesday night (recent): Trump signed an order to ban people from a dozen countries, including Iran.
- 6 Monday (upcoming): Trump's travel ban order is set to go into effect.
- 7 Later this month: FIFA's Club World Cup.
- 8 Next year (2026): FIFA World Cup co-hosted by U.S., Mexico, Canada.
- 9 September (upcoming): Golf's Ryder Cup.
- 10 2028: Los Angeles Olympics.
- Potential deterrence of international fans
- Calls for boycotts
- Challenges for FIFA to fill stadium seats
- Human rights concerns for travelers
- Increased pressure on U.S. visa processing
What: Concerns are being raised about the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, specifically regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies and their potential impact on international fans' ability and willingness to attend.
When: Next year (2026 World Cup); five months since Trump took office; Wednesday night (Trump signed order); Monday (order goes into effect); last month (May 5, Human Rights Watch letter); 2018 (FIFA awarded bid); 2022 (last World Cup); 1994 (World Cup); 1999 (Women's World Cup); later this month (FIFA Club World Cup); September (Ryder Cup); 2028 (Los Angeles Olympics).
Where: United States (11 host cities), Mexico, Canada (Toronto, Vancouver), Iran, Russia, Qatar, Los Angeles.
Why: U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies (border crackdowns, visa restrictions, detention fears, travel bans) contradict FIFA's values of human rights and inclusion; potential for fans from countries at odds with the U.S. to stay away; economic cost of attending.
How: Human rights groups (Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International) have written open letters and voiced concerns; experts like Vijay Setlur are analyzing the potential deterrents; U.S. officials are considering measures to manage visa processing; calls for boycotts.