Human rights group urges FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider U.S. as World Cup host due to concerns over border policies

FIFA is facing pressure about the 2026 World Cup in North America after a top human rights organization said it has “grave concerns” about President Donald Trump's border policies affecting the tournament, according to POLITICO.

Human Rights Watch urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to be “prepared to reconsider the hosting decision” if the safety of fans and players can’t be guaranteed, according to a letter seen by POLITICO.

FIFA anticipates as many as 6.5 million people could attend the tournament next summer, with matches also being played in Canada and Mexico, with 3.7 million expected to travel for this summer's Club World Cup.

Human Rights Watch detailed Trump’s potential visa bans on some countries, the possibility of detention, interrogation and denial of entry at the U.S. border and “prohibitively” long visa waiting times as concerns.

POLITICO reports that Human Rights Watch director of global initiatives Minky Worden said in a letter to FIFA: "FIFA must establish clear benchmarks and timelines for US immigration policy changes needed to ensure respect for the rights of players, fans, and other participants in the World Cup. What actions does FIFA plan to take in the event any players, fans or journalists are subject to discrimination, wrongful interrogation or arbitrary arrest?"

The White House has pledged that World Cup travel will be a smooth process for visiting supporters.

“Every part of the U.S. government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit,” Trump said during a World Cup task force event in Washington last week. “It’s going to be very special.”

In the letter, Human Rights Watch said that Infantino has “both the responsibility and authority to address the repudiation of human rights commitments at the 2026 World Cup."