The WM as a Stage for Authoritarian Policies
The image of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanging greetings has taken on new meaning as the tournament nears. Human Rights Watch has raised alarms about the potential for the World Cup to become a stage for policies that affect immigrants, visitors, and marginalized communities. At a press conference in Berlin, the organization highlighted risks of discrimination and exclusion, noting that these issues could become as defining as the matches themselves.
These concerns are grounded in recent developments. Human Rights Watch referenced U.S. government data showing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted thousands of arrests in and around the eleven American host cities between January 2025 and March 2026. The organization suggests these figures reflect broader patterns that could influence the atmosphere of the tournament. Minky Worden, HRW’s director of global initiatives, has expressed concern that the event might inadvertently showcase policies that create an environment of uncertainty for participants and attendees.
The discussion extends beyond immigration. Human Rights Watch has pointed to what it describes as a shift in the political landscape, with implications for human rights. For a tournament that promotes global unity, these developments present a stark contrast. The organization’s observations highlight the tension between the World Cup’s inclusive messaging and the realities faced by some communities in the host country.
FIFA’s Silence and the Limits of Sportswashing
As concerns mount about the World Cup’s potential to be influenced by the host country’s policies, attention has turned to FIFA’s response. Human Rights Watch has called for more concrete measures to protect athletes, fans, and workers, but the organization has yet to announce specific actions. The lack of a detailed plan from FIFA has drawn criticism, with observers noting that inaction could be interpreted as acceptance of existing conditions.
For more on this story, see FIFA lists World Cup final tickets at $2.3 million each, sparking fan outrage over affordability.
The relationship between Infantino and Trump has come under renewed scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament. Critics have questioned whether the FIFA president’s engagement with the U.S. administration reflects a prioritization of political considerations over the event’s integrity. Human Rights Watch has suggested that the World Cup risks becoming a distraction from policies that affect vulnerable groups, echoing concerns raised during previous tournaments in Russia and Qatar.
Past World Cups have demonstrated how major sporting events can be used to shape perceptions of host countries. The 2026 edition presents a distinct challenge: rather than a long-established authoritarian regime, the United States is navigating a period of evolving political dynamics. This context raises questions about whether FIFA will address these concerns or maintain its historical pattern of limited intervention.
What Visitors and Participants Can Expect
For the millions of fans and thousands of workers traveling to U.S. host cities, the warnings from Human Rights Watch carry practical implications. Data on immigration enforcement in tournament venues indicates that the event will take place in an environment where such operations are active. This reality affects not only undocumented individuals but also those who might be subject to profiling or caught in broader enforcement actions.
Human Rights Watch has offered guidance to help visitors navigate these conditions. The organization recommends that travelers stay informed about local laws, carry proper documentation, and be aware of areas where enforcement activity is more common. For athletes and teams, the potential for disruptions—such as family members or support staff encountering immigration issues—could create additional stress during an already high-pressure event.
This follows our earlier report, US Secretary of State Confirms Iran Football Team Eligible for 2026 World Cup Amid Speculation.
The broader concern is that the World Cup’s global audience may see only a carefully managed version of the United States, one where the excitement of the games overshadows the challenges faced by some communities. Human Rights Watch’s report serves as a reminder that the tournament’s impact will be measured not just by athletic achievements but by the experiences of those affected by the host country’s policies.
The Open Questions FIFA Still Hasn’t Answered
With the opening match approaching, key questions remain unanswered. What specific protections will FIFA implement for athletes, fans, and workers? Will the organization take a public stance on the policies it has been warned about, or will it continue its current approach? Most importantly, can the World Cup fulfill its promise of unity when the host country’s policies are seen by some as divisive?
Human Rights Watch has outlined steps FIFA could take to address these concerns, including ensuring safe passage for all participants, monitoring human rights conditions independently, and maintaining transparency in its dealings with the U.S. government. To date, none of these measures have been formally adopted. As time runs short, the decisions FIFA makes in the coming weeks will shape how the tournament is remembered.
The 2026 World Cup was intended to showcase soccer’s ability to bring people together. Instead, it has become an opportunity to examine whether the sport can remain distinct from the political realities of its host. The answers to these questions will determine the event’s legacy long after the final match concludes.
