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FIFA World Cup 2026: BWI Concludes First Official Visit to the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico
As part of the new BWI–FIFA Cooperation Agreement, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) conducted an official mission to Monterrey on 25 and 27 November, one of the three Mexican host cities of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America. The BWI delegation included representatives from its Mexican affiliate CIT, Unite the […]
World Cup 2026: FIFA Needs to Act on Human Rights
As FIFA Awards “Peace Prize,” Coalition Calls for Concrete Protections for Workers, Athletes, Fans, Journalists, and Children (Washington, DC, December 3, 2025) – FIFA, the international soccer governing body, needs to match its lofty rhetoric on rights with concrete action, a coalition of human rights organizations, trade unions, and fans groups said today. FIFA is […]
US: ICE Arrest at FIFA Event Spotlights Dangers for World Cup
Asylum Seeker Detained, Returned to Country of Origin (New York) – The arrest and return of an asylum seeker who took his children to the Club World Cup soccer tournament final on July 13, 2025, raises serious concerns about the safety of noncitizens attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. In […]
Brazil: Ensure Justice for Children Killed in Flamengo Fire
Case Underscores Urgent Need for Safeguarding, Reforms at Training Centers (Rio de Janeiro, November 24, 2025) – Reports that alleged systemic failures at Brazil’s top football club led to the deaths of 10 child athletes in a fire in 2019 raise critical questions about safeguarding and accountability in Brazilian sport, the Sport & Rights Alliance […]
On 20th Anniversary, BWI joins Sport & Rights Alliance to advance labour rights in mega-sporting events
BWI becomes newest Core Partner of the Sport & Rights Alliance (Amsterdam, October 22, 2025) – On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) has joined the Sport & Rights Alliance as its newest partner, the SRA announced today. Representing approximately 12 million workers worldwide in construction, wood, and […]
New report: “No one wants to talk about it”
Voices of impacted people on participation of athletes convicted of sexual offenses (Amsterdam, October 6, 2025) – The Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports has released a crucial new exploratory study, “No one wants to talk about it:” Voices of impacted people on the participation of athletes convicted of sexual offenses at […]
US: FIFA Cancels Anti-Bias Messaging for Club World Cup
Soccer Governing Body Action For US Tournament Bodes Ill For 2026 World Cup (New York) – The global soccer governing body FIFA’s reported decision to cancel previously planned additional anti-racism and anti-discrimination messaging at Club World Cup venues in the United States signals a human rights risk for FIFA’s upcoming 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the Dignity […]
World Cup: A Year Out, Growing Attacks on Rights
Largest-Ever Sporting Event Poses Major Risks for Fans, Workers & Athletes (Amsterdam, June 11, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should take immediate and demonstrable steps to safeguard human rights for all people involved in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. With just one year […]
Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Electrocuted, Decapitated, and Falling to Death at Workplaces
Prevent, Investigate Deaths; Compensate Families; Mandate Life Insurance (Beirut) – Scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities have failed to adequately protect workers from preventable deaths, investigate workplace safety incidents, and ensure timely and adequate […]
Saudi Arabia: Migrant Domestic Workers Face Severe Exploitation, Racism and Exclusion from Labour Protections
Locked in, left out: the hidden lives of Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia Kenyan women hired as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia endure gruelling, abusive and discriminatory working conditions, which often amount to forced labour and human trafficking, Amnesty International said in a new report. The report highlights how employers subjected the women to […]
FIFA: Afghan Women’s Refugee Team is Partial Solution but Not Official Recognition
Statements from Afghan Women Footballers and Sport & Rights Alliance (Amsterdam, 9 May 2025) – Responding to the FIFA Council’s decision to establish an Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT), Afghan football players and the Sport & Rights Alliance said: “We are proud to be part of history in helping create FIFA’s first-ever refugee football team,” […]
Letter to FIFA Re. Human Rights Responsibilities in 2026 World Cup
Human Rights Watch Letter to FIFA May 5, 2025 Gianni InfantinoPresidentFédération Internationale de Football AssociationFIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland Subject: FIFA’s Human Rights Responsibilities in 2026 World Cup Dear Mr. Infantino, We write to express grave concerns about the impact of current United States immigration policies on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and […]