According to The Athletic, Amnesty International has recently issued a report warning that fans traveling to this summer’s FIFA World Cup could face “disturbing human rights risks.”

The organization noted that although FIFA has pledged to deliver a “safe, welcoming and inclusive” tournament, this commitment is being undermined by “serious restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful protest.”

In the report released on Sunday, Amnesty International stated that the United States is facing a “human rights emergency,” while also analyzing risks in co-host nations Mexico and Canada.

The report highlighted that Mexico, due to frequent violent incidents, has mobilized around 100,000 security personnel, including the military, which could increase risks for protesters.

In Canada, the report noted that a winter shelter for homeless people in Toronto was closed because the site had been pre-booked for World Cup-related use.

However, the greatest concerns were raised about the United States. The report cited “discriminatory immigration policies,” as well as “mass detention and arbitrary arrests” carried out by armed officers from agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

In response, a spokesperson for the United States Department of State said: “We are making every effort to ensure the tournament is safe and runs smoothly, so that fans, families, and athletes from around the world can enjoy a seamless experience throughout their visit.”

The spokesperson added that preparations for the World Cup have been underway for over a year, led by the White House World Cup Task Force, with security remaining the top priority. The U.S. will continue to monitor the global situation and adjust security measures as needed to address potential threats and ensure safety throughout the tournament.

In February this year, acting ICE director Todd Lyons stated that the agency would play a “key role” in World Cup security. ICE typically provides intelligence and security support for international sporting events, and its agents were previously involved in security operations for the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, although their presence sparked protests in Milan.

Notably, during the administration of Donald Trump, ICE faced widespread controversy for intensifying immigration enforcement and deportation efforts across multiple cities. In January this year, in Minneapolis, two U.S. citizens were shot dead by federal agents during an enforcement operation, drawing significant attention.

Steve Cockburn of Amnesty International said: “In 2025, the United States deported more than 500,000 people—nearly eight times the capacity of a World Cup final crowd. This record level of detention and deportation has been achieved at the expense of due process, severely impacting the rights to liberty and security of hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees.”

He added that such policies have fractured communities and created a climate of fear in the U.S., which “could also affect fans coming to take part in World Cup celebrations.”

The report also noted that host cities such as Dallas, Houston, and Miami are signing cooperation agreements with ICE, allowing joint operations with local law enforcement. Amnesty International warned that this could exacerbate discriminatory policing and actions targeting migrants, undermine trust between communities and law enforcement, and reduce public safety, describing ICE as a “quasi-militarized agency.”

Additionally, earlier this week, reports suggested that fans from certain participating countries may be required to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 to obtain entry to the U.S., while FIFA is reportedly lobbying the U.S. government privately to grant exemptions for players.

This “visa bond pilot program” involves 50 countries, five of which have already qualified for the World Cup. Since January 21, it has affected citizens of countries such as Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. Last week, Tunisia was also added to the list. The policy is set to take effect on April 2.

The report further stated that the U.S. has imposed travel restrictions on fans from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran, and Senegal, and warned that fans from other countries could also face “intrusive screening,” including social media checks and vetting for so-called “anti-American tendencies.”

It also pointed out that all three host countries have, to varying degrees, imposed restrictions on freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

This World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, with 11 of the 16 host cities located in the United States.

Cockburn concluded: “While FIFA is generating record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, fans, communities, players, journalists, and workers should not bear the cost.”

He emphasized: “Football belongs to these people—not governments, sponsors, or FIFA—and their rights must be at the heart of the tournament.”

He added that among the 16 host cities, only four have published human rights plans, and none of them address how to prevent harms related to immigration enforcement.

Finally, the report warned that this World Cup can no longer be considered a “medium-risk” event as previously assessed by FIFA. Urgent action is needed—whether in addressing ICE-related risks, safeguarding protest rights, or tackling homelessness—to ensure that the reality of the tournament matches its original promises.