Key Takeaways
- Leading rights organisations accuse the Trump administration of using the 2026 World Cup to hide human rights abuses through “sportswashing”
- Only four host cities have published mandatory human rights action plans six weeks before the tournament begins
- The Norwegian Football Federation demands FIFA abolish the controversial peace prize awarded to Donald Trump and address fears over immigration enforcement
Human rights groups have issued a stark warning that this summer’s World Cup will become a “bonanza of sportswashing”. The Sport and Rights Alliance, which includes Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, accuses the Trump administration of using the tournament as a political tool to cover up serious abuses.
The tournament kicks off in six weeks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, campaigners say the US portion presents unique dangers for fans and players. Minky Worden from Human Rights Watch explained that sportswashing involves using beloved sporting events to attract positive media coverage. This attention can then hide violations of human rights behind the excitement of the games.
“This should have been the first World Cup with a strong human rights framework,” Worden stated. She noted that key protections for workers, fans and communities are now at risk. The administration’s tough immigration policies, discriminatory rules and threats to press freedom mean the event could be defined by exclusion rather than celebration.
Supporter groups have raised serious concerns about safety and policing. Martin Endemann from Football Supporters Europe admitted his organisation has “absolutely no clue” how American authorities will react to protests or minor offences inside and outside stadiums. He noted that US officials have shown less engagement with fan groups than Qatari authorities did before the 2022 tournament.
Only four host cities—Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Vancouver—have published mandatory human rights action plans. Rights groups are also worried about travel restrictions affecting several nations, including four countries that qualified for the tournament.
At FIFA’s annual congress in Vancouver, Lise Klaveness will demand answers about supporter safety. The president of the Norwegian Football Federation wants guarantees that Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids will not target fans based on their ethnicity or nationality. “We want this to be inclusive and safe for everybody, regardless of where you come from or who you love,” Klaveness said.
Klaveness also called for the FIFA peace prize to be scrapped after Gianni Infantino awarded it to Donald Trump in December. The Norwegian Football Federation will support calls for an investigation into the prize, arguing that FIFA should maintain political neutrality. “We have a Nobel Institute that handles peace prizes independently,” she added. “FIFA should focus on football, not politics.”
FairSquare, which promotes accountability in sport, has filed a complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee regarding the peace prize. They argue the award broke FIFA’s rules on political neutrality.