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Debunking the IOC FAQ
In connection to the IOC Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport A scientific, legal, and child safeguarding analysis from Humans of Sport May 2026 Introduction On 26 March 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board adopted a new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in […]
FIFA: Keep the World in the World Cup
Football belongs to the world. FIFA is planning the biggest World Cup ever: 48 teams, matches in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and billions watching around the world. FIFA has promised a safe, welcoming and ‘inclusive’ tournament through its Human Rights Framework. But under U.S. President Donald Trump, harsh anti-human […]
Covering the 2026 World Cup? Prepare for more than football
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking place from June 11 to July 19, is expected to draw thousands of journalists to the United States, Mexico, and Canada to cover the world’s biggest sporting event of the year. Beyond the stadiums, fan zones, and celebrations, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) urges media professionals to prepare for a […]
CPJ urges heightened awareness for journalists traveling to US for FIFA World Cup
May 21, 2026, New York, NY — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has advised journalists traveling throughout the United States for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup may face questioning or hostility from immigration officials at the border or around venues. The World Cup spans games across cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada […]
FIFA: New Rule Recognizes Afghan Women’s Team
After Nearly Five Years in Exile, Women Can Seek World Cup Qualification (Vancouver, April 28, 2026) – The FIFA Council’s decision to approve amendments to its Governance Regulations provides a landmark opportunity to ensure gender equity and human rights in sport, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. These changes allow for the official recognition […]
2026 World Cup: Tournament Will Kick Off in Climate of Fear
‘Reporters’ Guide’ Outlines ICE Threats, Press Freedom Risks, Unmet FIFA Commitments (Berlin) – The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is unfolding against a backdrop of abusive immigration enforcement in the United States, new threats to media freedom, discrimination, and unmet human rights commitments by FIFA and host cities, Human Rights Watch said today, releasing a “Reporters’ Guide” […]
“Do it well and do it deeply”: Navigating Safe Sport Entities
Workshop Recap: Recent Advances and Challenges in Safe Sport Entities On March 23rd, the Athletes Network for Safer Sports held an online workshop exploring the development of ‘safe sport entities’ – organizations designed to address harassment and abuse in sport. Featuring Alison Quigley, survivor of abuse in gymnastics, safe sport advocate, researcher and founder of […]
World Cup: 2 Months Out, FIFA and Host Cities Sideline Rights
Missing Host City ‘Human Rights Action Plans’ Underscore Lack of Protections (New York) – World Cup city host committees and FIFA have fallen short on the steps needed to protect players and fans, Human Rights Watch said today, with the tournament two months away. All but one of the host city committees have either failed to present […]
2025 Annual Report: Shifting the Power of Sport
Impacted People are Leading the Way “Looking back at our collective work and impact in 2025, one message is clear: policies are being put to the test, and the world of sport is being called to rise to the occasion,” reflects Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “While multi-billion dollar organizations […]
Global: FIFA and World Cup hosts must prevent tournament becoming a threat to fans and communities
Millions of football fans attending the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA risk coming face to face with troubling attacks on human rights, not least those stemming from abusive and deadly US immigration policies, Amnesty International said today. The human rights organization warned that severe restrictions on freedom of expression […]
Humanity Must Win: Defending Rights, Tackling Repression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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 […]
Olympics: Sex Testing Harms All Women and Girls
International Olympic Committee has no right to become ‘gender police’ of the world (Amsterdam, March 17, 2026) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) should abandon potential plans to mandate genetic sex testing and ban transgender and intersex athletes, the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA), ILGA World, Humans of Sport and over 100 other allied organizations […]