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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now fewer than 50 days away from its North American kickoff, over 120 civil society organizations and soccer supporter groups have issued a serious warning to those intending to visit the U.S. this summer for the sport's biggest tournament.
The coalition—which includes the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Amnesty International USA, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)—released a travel advisory on Thursday, calling on fans, athletes, journalists, and other visitors heading to any of the 11 U.S. host cities to proceed with caution and prepare an emergency backup plan "in light of the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and in the absence of meaningful action and concrete guarantees from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government."
The travel advisory specifically cited President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since he began his second term in January 2025. It described his policies as "violent and abusive," noting that immigrant communities and racial and ethnic minorities are among those most disproportionately affected by the administration and therefore the "most vulnerable to serious harm when traveling to and/or within the United States." The advisory further highlighted that LGBTQ individuals face elevated risks under Trump's policies.
The warning follows an unprecedented expansion of migrant detention facilities across the country since Trump's inauguration, now encompassing more than 220 sites, with further expansion planned as ICE has received $85 million in new funding—$45 million earmarked specifically for enlarging detention centers over the next four years—according to a March report from NPR. This has made ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the country. ICE has also previously indicated it will serve a "key part" in World Cup security, per The Athletic.
The country has recorded more than 750,000 ICE detainees since January 2025, with over 72,000 individuals held in facilities as of this January—a rise of more than 75% compared to the approximately 40,000 people detained prior to Trump's presidency.
Potential Risks and Harms, Per the Travel Advisory
The travel advisory outlined six distinct risks and harms that individuals may face at the World Cup, asserting that all are "in breach of the United States' human rights obligations under domestic and international law":
The advisory warns that transgender and nonbinary individuals could be refused entry into the U.S. if traveling with visas that do not reflect their sex assigned at birth. The Trump administration has also fully or partially restricted entry for nationals from 19 countries. Additional concerns include:
The travel advisory notes that the U.S. government has implemented electronic screenings for certain visa applicants, requiring them to make their social media profiles publicly accessible for review by the State Department.
The advisory also reports that more than 50 individuals have died while in ICE custody since 2025, including 14 since the beginning of this calendar year. Listed potential risks include:
The organizations recommend that visitors clear sensitive data from their electronic devices—including facial recognition and fingerprint unlock features—and inform family or friends of their travel itineraries, including dates and destinations.
FIFA, White House Response to Travel Advisory Warning
"As per article 3 of the FIFA Statutes, FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights," a FIFA spokesperson stated publicly.
FIFA also noted that its development of human rights strategies and frameworks, along with an advisory group, "are all evidence of FIFA's commitment to human rights across all key activities and actors connected to the tournament."
The White House has also spoken up to reassure visitors of their safety during the tournament.
"Under President Trump's leadership, the White House World Cup Task Force has worked tirelessly to ensure the 2026 World Cup will be the most extraordinary sporting event in U.S. history," said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the task force.
"Our dedication to excellence, safety, and an exceptional experience for every visitor is second to none. As a global leader in human rights, the United States is ready to welcome enthusiastic travelers from across the world to celebrate the World Cup and America's 250th birthday together. Our preparations are on track to support FIFA in delivering the greatest World Cup ever! These ridiculous claims cannot alter the reality that the United States is fully equipped to set a new benchmark for international sporting events."