Civil rights organizations and fan groups warned Thursday that 2026 World Cup visitors to the US could face significant risks tied to immigration and law enforcement policies under the Trump administration. More than 120 organizations, including Amnesty International USA, the ACLU, Reporters Without Borders, and 20 MLS and NWSL supporters’ groups, issued a travel advisory to fans, players, journalists, and other visitors, the Athletic reports. The advisory says immigrants, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ people are “most vulnerable to serious harm” and urges travelers to “exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan.” It cites “rising authoritarianism and increasing violence” in the US, per the AP.
FIFA and the White House rejected the warnings. FIFA pointed to its human rights policies, including a 2026 World Cup human rights strategy, advisory group, and grievance mechanism, saying it is committed to internationally recognized rights. Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House World Cup Task Force, called the claims “absurd” and said the US is prepared to deliver the “safest and most secure” World Cup ever, per the Athletic. Tourism officials also disputed the advisory, saying the groups behind it are threatening the livelihoods of service industry workers in an attempt to achieve their political goals.
The advisory cites 48 deaths in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since early 2025, expanded entry restrictions affecting visitors from 39 countries, and an increased ICE presence at airports. It outlines six main concerns: possible arbitrary denial of entry, broader travel limits, electronic and social media searches, aggressive immigration enforcement and profiling, restrictions on speech and protest, and mistreatment in detention. Visitors are advised to secure devices by limiting sensitive data and disabling biometric logins, and to share detailed itineraries with trusted contacts.
