Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, risks becoming a "stage for repression." The human rights organization's report, published on March 24, 2026, highlights concerns over the potential for surveillance, discrimination, and excessive policing during the tournament.
The report, titled "'The Beautiful Game'? Human Rights Risks and the 2026 FIFA World Cup," details specific risks including the use of invasive surveillance technology, discriminatory policing of marginalized communities, and restrictions on freedom of expression and protest. Amnesty calls on FIFA and the host nations to implement robust human rights safeguards.
FIFA has stated it is committed to human rights due diligence for its events. However, Amnesty's analysis points to existing laws and practices in the host countries that could lead to rights violations, urging preemptive action to prevent the mega-event from enabling repression.
