Attacks on Immigrants, Protests, and the Rule of Law Threaten Dignity and Safety for Fans and Participants
FIFA Peace Prize to Be Awarded Against Backdrop of Human Rights Violations
Ahead of the draw for 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Sport & Rights Alliance, Dignity 2026, and Human Rights Watch will host a 90-minute, hybrid press briefing in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.
Moved to the Kennedy Center at the behest of US President Donald Trump, the World Cup Draw will feature the inaugural presentation of a recently announced “FIFA Peace Prize.” Awarding this prize against a backdrop of escalating attacks on human rights and civil freedoms—including violent detentions of immigrants, crackdowns on freedom of expression, and the militarization of US cities—underscores the increasing likelihood of the 2026 World Cup being weaponized for authoritarian aims.
Less than 200 days until global football’s top tournament kicks off, this press briefing will present findings from Human Rights Watch’s new reporting on immigration enforcement at the 2025 Club World Cup, spotlighting the serious risks FIFA must address in the coming months to ensure a rights-respecting World Cup.
Please register to join us on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, to hear from fans, athletes, workers, journalists, and human rights experts on the need for clear guarantees and safeguards to protect the dignity and safety of all involved in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Who:
- Jamal Watkins, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advancement, NAACP
- Clayton Weimers, Executive Director, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) USA
- Matthew Pacifici, Former men’s professional player and Athlete Ally Ambassador
- Jennifer Li, Coordinator, Dignity 2026; Director, Center for Community Health Innovation, Georgetown Law
- Jamil Dakwar, Human Rights Program Director, ACLU
- Cathy Feingold, International Director, AFL-CIO, Deputy President of the International Trade Union Confederation, representing 200 million unionized workers worldwide
- Daniel Noroña, Americas Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA
- Minky Worden (moderator), Director of Global Initiatives, Human Rights Watch
What:
Press briefing for journalists covering FIFA and the 2026 Men’s World Cup, with a focus on the direct experiences of people impacted by FIFA’s failures to uphold human rights protections in the context of the 2026 World Cup.
The briefing will be held in English. A statement and video will be available after.
When:
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 9:30 am EST // 3:30 pm CET
Where:
To attend the press briefing in-person or online, please email contact@sportandrightsalliance.org.
