More than 120 human rights organizations have issued a travel advisory urging fans, players, journalists, and other visitors to the 2026 World Cup to "exercise caution" when traveling to the United States. The advisory, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), cites concerns over what it describes as the Trump administration's "violent and abusive immigration crackdown" and rising authoritarianism.
The coalition warns that minority groups are particularly vulnerable to harm and criticizes FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his close ties to President Donald Trump. The groups are calling on FIFA to pressure US authorities to respect fundamental human rights for all attendees.
Specific risks highlighted include potential denial of entry, arrest, travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, social media screening, racial profiling, and increased surveillance. Notably, travel bans affect nationals from four World Cup participants: Iran, Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.
The advisory recommends travelers take precautions such as removing sensitive information from phones and keeping friends and family informed of their plans.
FIFA responded by stating its commitment to respecting internationally recognized human rights and noted that it has established advisory groups and documents to address human rights issues connected to the tournament. The US is co-hosting the event with Canada and Mexico, with 78 of the 104 matches scheduled on American soil.
The criticism comes after Infantino awarded Trump FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize in December, and amid a substantial expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities under the Trump administration.