Human Rights Watch warns of inadequate protections for 2026 World Cup players and supporters | OneFootball

Human Rights Watch has accused FIFA and host city organisers of failing to put in place measures needed to protect players and supporters at the 2026 World Cup, two months before kick-off. According to L'Équipe, the NGO set out its concerns in a statement published on Friday.

The tournament’s 78 matches, including the semi-finals and final, will be staged in the United States from 11 June to 19 July. The group describes the country as experiencing rising authoritarianism and abusive Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

It estimates that from 20 January 2025 to 10 March 2026, ICE arrested at least 167,000 people across the 11 American host cities. The organisation says this raises the prospect of tougher immigration enforcement around FIFA events and mounting risks to press freedom.

The NGO also notes that 12 of the 16 host city committees have yet to publish a human rights action plan, which FIFA requires.

It is urging FIFA and the host cities to agree an ICE truce for the duration of the tournament.

Source: L'Équipe