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FIFA: A World Cup Without the World
Human Rights Watch
Assessing Human Rights Impacts of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup (New York, July 16, 2026) – The joy and celebration on display at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup should not distract from the unprecedented exclusion, discrimination and misuse of power the U.S. government is conducting away from the spotlight, the Sport & Rights […]
Brazil: Build legacy of safety and equity for 2027 Women’s World Cup
1-year countdown marks need for urgent action in women and children’s football (São Paulo, June 23, 2026) – With just one year until the kickoff of the 2027 Women’s World Cup, the Brazilian government, national football authorities and FIFA should prioritize the rights and wellbeing of women and children in football, the Sport & Rights […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Failures in Brazilian Football Expose Culture of Misogyny and Abuse
Persistent risks for women and children in Brazilian sport (Sao Paulo, March 6, 2026) — Ahead of this year’s International Women’s Day, renewed attention must be paid to the persistent risks facing women and children in the world of sports. Nowhere is this more pertinent than in Brazil, set to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Algeria: French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes sentenced to seven years in prison after over a year under a judicial control order
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the court of Tizi Ouzou’s decision to sentence French football journalist Christophe Gleizes to seven years in prison with immediate incarceration. Arrested and held under a judicial control order since 28 May 2024, he has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job. He will appeal the […]
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 […]