On 11 June 2026, the largest and most lucrative FIFA World Cup in history will begin. Millions of fans will travel to Canada, Mexico and the USA, while billions more watch from home. This World Cup is taking place amidst an acute human rights crisis.
With just weeks to go until kick-off, FIFA’s claim that “Football Unites the World” sits in stark contrast to the divisive and repressive practices of the governments who host its flagship tournament. There is still time to save the 2026 World Cup from becoming a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices. Host governments must meet their obligations under international human rights law, while FIFA, national FAs and sponsors all have clear responsibilities to respect human rights and use their significant leverage to protect fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities.
