Rights Groups Issue Travel Advisory for World Cup in US
Rights groups have urged fans, players, journalists, and other visitors to this summer’s World Cup to “exercise caution” if travelling to the United States.
More than 120 organisations have collectively issued a ‘travel advisory’, citing what they describe as “the Trump administration’s violent and abusive immigration crackdown”. The advisory states that “The Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all,” adding that minority groups, in particular, are “vulnerable to serious harm.” The groups also criticized Gianni Infantino, president of football’s world governing body Fifa, for his close ties to US President Donald Trump.
The coalition, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union, has called on Fifa to pressure US authorities “to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games.”
Concerns and Warnings for Travelers
US officials have not yet commented on the groups’ travel advisory. However, Fifa stated its commitment “to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights,” noting its dedication to human rights across all activities and actors connected to the tournament.
The rights groups warn travellers about several potential issues, including the potential for denial of entry to the country, risk of arrest, travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, social media screening, racial profiling, and increased surveillance. It is noted that nationals from four countries participating in the tournament—Iran, Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast—are subject to travel bans.
The groups advise travellers to take precautions such as removing sensitive information from phones and keeping friends and family updated about their plans.
Tournament Context and Official Responses
The United States is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, with 78 of the 104 scheduled matches taking place in the US. The signatory groups are critical of Fifa, accusing it of failing to issue “concrete guarantees” on safety for travellers, especially given President Gianni Infantino’s alignment with the Trump administration. In December, Infantino awarded President Trump with Fifa’s inaugural Peace Prize.
The Trump administration’s focus on immigration crackdown has led to a significant expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE has faced criticism for its methods, particularly after the fatal shooting of two US citizens protesting the crackdown. US officials have indicated that ICE agents will be part of World Cup security, a prospect that has concerned fan groups like Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which expressed alarm over the “ongoing militarisation of police forces in the US.”
A recent report from Amnesty, a human rights campaign group, suggested the World Cup risked becoming “a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices.”
In response, the White House’s World Cup Task Force affirmed that the tournament would be “the largest, safest, and most welcoming sporting event in history,” promising a smooth, secure, and unforgettable experience for fans, highlighting America’s hospitality and commitment to security.
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