More than 120 non-governmental organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International, have issued a travel warning for tourists going to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
The warning draws attention to several serious issues related to arbitrary arrest, racial discrimination, and tough immigration enforcement in light of existing US federal laws.
For this reason, the alliance has called on people traveling to the competition to develop an emergency response plan in advance.
Demanding accountability from global sports governing bodies
Through the advisory, the organizations are requesting that FIFA uses its considerable power. It should demand from the U.S. government some legally binding human rights assurances.
The advocacy groups maintain that the international football body has failed to give assurances on the safety of the visitors. This is in regard to violations of constitutional provisions.
In addition, the organizations have indicated that the most vulnerable individuals during the time of intensified surveillance include minority and immigrant communities.
Practical safety measures for international travelers and media
At the same time, thousands of foreign media representatives have been asked to safeguard their sources. This is to prevent possible interference by authorities upon entering the country.
Overall, the outcome of the World Cup will rely on whether it will be able to create an atmosphere for its guests.
