With only months left until the 2026 World Cup in North America, Amnesty International, through ICE, has warned that the United States is facing a “human rights emergency.”
2026 World Cup to be held across North America (Image: PA)
Amnesty International has claimed that athletes heading to this summer’s North American World Cup could face “appalling threats” from ICE agents in a “human rights emergency”. The 2026 edition of this prestigious tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Human rights groups also argue that FIFA may not be able to deliver on the “safe, welcoming and inclusive” atmosphere it promises for the tournament. In a report entitled ‘Humanity Must Win’, Amnesty International looks back at President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, given that the majority of the World Cup will be held on American soil.
The group argues that human rights are at risk due to “discriminatory immigration policies, mass detention, and arbitrary arrests by masked and armed agents of ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other agencies.” In addition to the challenges some travel fans may face entering the United States to support their country, the report also argues that immigrant communities may face risks when traveling across the country.
Meanwhile, Dallas, Houston, and Miami also signed agreements for local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. Elsewhere, fans from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Senegal and Iran wishing to attend games will not be able to travel to the United States unless they have a valid visa by January, due to President Trump’s recent travel ban.
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“Despite the alarming number of arrests and deportations, neither FIFA nor the US authorities have provided any guarantee that their fans and communities will be safe from ethnic and racial profiling, random attacks, unlawful detention and deportation,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice, as quoted by the I newspaper.
He added: “The record surge in illegal arrests and deportations has been made possible only because due process guarantees have been eroded and the rights to freedom and security of hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees have been undermined.”
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“These policies have torn communities apart and created a climate of fear across the United States. The United States is at a very worrying time, and the impact will certainly be felt by fans who want to participate in World Cup celebrations.”
Meanwhile, Mexico has mobilized more than 100,000 security personnel as of late due to high levels of violence in the country. And in Canada, earlier this month, Toronto-based authorities closed a winter center that provided shelter to the homeless because it had been pre-booked for FIFA’s use.
This comes after a fan died after falling from his box seat during a friendly match between Mexico and Portugal at Estadio Banorte on Saturday. The stadium, which will host the World Cup opening ceremony on June 11, reopened over the weekend after a series of renovations.
The World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer (Image: Getty Images)
However, the restoration of use was overshadowed by tragedy. “The Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscaria CDMX) deeply regrets the death of a person inside the Banorte Stadium on Saturday, March 28, before the start of a friendly match for the Mexican national team,” said a statement released on social media.
“From the outset, personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, forensic experts, and members of the Investigative Police were present at the scene and began the necessary investigations. The area was cordoned off, the scene was secured, and evidence was collected by experts specializing in criminology, photography, and forensics.”
“Furthermore, analysis of CCTV footage from the stadium and its entrances is underway, as well as the collection of testimonies from those present at the scene, with the aim of accurately reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying potential culprits.
“Similarly, statutory post-mortem procedures are currently underway in order to definitively establish the cause of death and the condition of the body at the time of the fall. The Mexico City Public Prosecutor’s Office will continue its thorough investigation and, strictly in accordance with the principles of due process, will keep the public informed of any relevant developments.”
