Kevin Love shares story behind hug with Tristan Thompson: ‘I just broke down’

The anticipation surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, largely set to unfold across the United States, is now tempered by significant apprehension from a broad coalition of civil rights and labor organizations. Over 80 groups have collectively expressed profound concern to FIFA, detailing potential human rights violations and disruptions stemming from existing U.S. immigration policies that could profoundly impact both international teams and millions of spectators.

A formal letter, initially brought to light by The Athletic, outlines two primary points of contention. Foremost among these is the lingering shadow of President Donald Trump’s executive order, which imposed a travel ban on visitors from 12 predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries. Despite the tournament being years away, the enduring nature of such policies raises serious questions about equitable access and and participation for fans and delegates from affected regions, potentially undermining the global spirit of the FIFA World Cup.

Further exacerbating these worries are the ongoing raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities nationwide. Many of these very communities are slated to serve as host cities for the upcoming 2026 World Cup matches. The groups argue that these enforcement activities create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, potentially endangering or deterring foreign visitors and even members of participating delegations, thus directly conflicting with the welcoming environment expected of a global sporting spectacle.

The list of signatories to this critical letter includes highly prominent national organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the NAACP. Their unified message calls upon FIFA to actively leverage its considerable global influence and encourage the U.S. government to unequivocally guarantee the fundamental rights of the millions of foreign visitors and fans expected. The groups issued a stark warning: “If FIFA continues to stay silent, not only will millions be placed at risk, but the FIFA brand will also be used as a public relations tool to whitewash the reputation of an increasingly authoritarian government.”

Despite these serious concerns, both FIFA President Gianni Infantino and representatives from the Trump administration have offered assurances that foreign attendees will encounter no issues entering the U.S. Vice President JD Vance reiterated this stance, adding a caveat that problems would only arise if visitors overstayed their visas. While these official statements aim to allay fears, the civil rights and labor groups remain deeply apprehensive, pointing to the practical realities and potential discriminatory impacts of current U.S. Immigration Policy on a global event.

This contentious situation is, regrettably, not unprecedented for FIFA. The organization has a history of facing intense criticism over its choice of host nations, most notably exemplified by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That tournament proceeded despite widespread pleas from human rights advocacy organizations highlighting significant concerns about labor practices and social freedoms. The recurring pattern suggests an ongoing tension between the commercial and sporting ambitions of the FIFA World Cup and its responsibility to uphold universal human rights standards, irrespective of the host country’s domestic policies.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to host teams from 48 nations across 16 host cities—11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada—the spotlight intensifies on the interplay between international sports and domestic governance. The concerns raised underscore a crucial challenge for the US Government and FIFA: ensuring that the grand spectacle of global football does not inadvertently endorse or exacerbate human rights vulnerabilities. This debate over immigration policy, human rights, and the world’s most popular sport will undoubtedly continue to evolve as the tournament draws nearer.