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FIFA World Cup in the United States: FIFA issues press accreditation to sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, detained in Algeria
As the World Cup kicks off on June 11, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) announces that Christophe Gleizes, imprisoned in Algeria, has now been granted accreditation by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to cover the tournament. This accreditation was granted in support of the French sports journalist, a contributor to the magazines So Foot […]
World Cup: FIFA Sponsors Should Back an ICE Truce
US Government Abusive Immigration Policies Pose Risk to Fans, Workers (New York) – The FIFA Men’s World Cup corporate partners and sponsors should join calls for an “ICE Truce,” a public commitment from United States federal officials to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at all World Cup events and venues, Human Rights Watch and the […]
FIFA: Fear and Uncertainty in Final Countdown to 2026 World Cup
Voices of People Impacted by FIFA’s Top Tournament (New York, June 10, 2026) – As the world awaits the opening whistle of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, players, fan groups, and human rights groups are highlighting the risks posed by the U.S. government’s visa bans, travel restrictions and abusive immigration operations, the Sport & […]
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 […]