Amnesty International has warned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could turn into a stage for repression in the United States, Canada and Mexico if urgent human rights steps are not taken. In a new report titled Humanity Must Win, the group says fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities all face significant risks.
FIFA has promised a safe, welcoming and inclusive tournament where everyone can exercise their rights. But Amnesty says this pledge contrasts sharply with current realities in the three host nations, especially the United States, which will stage most of the 104 matches.
The report describes the US as facing a human rights emergency under President Donald Trump, citing mass deportations, aggressive immigration raids and what it calls paramilitary style operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to Amnesty, more than 500,000 people were deported in 2025 alone, far exceeding the number of fans who will fill the MetLife Stadium for the World Cup final.
Amnesty also points to severe restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful protest across all three host countries. In the US, it highlights cases where foreign born students protesting Israeli actions in Gaza have had visas revoked, and instances where citizens monitoring immigration enforcement were killed by federal agents.
In Canada, the organisation notes that Gaza related demonstrations have sometimes been unduly dispersed or cleared by police. In Mexico, it cites protests by residents over water supplies, land access, rising costs and gentrification linked to World Cup infrastructure projects, warning that militarised security planning could lead to heavy handed crackdowns.
Fans from some participating countries face extra barriers. Amnesty notes that supporters from Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal are subject to US travel bans, while several LGBTQ+ fan groups say they will avoid matches in the US because of risks to transgender supporters.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice, said the 2026 World Cup threatens to deliver more repression than football if current trends continue. He argued that while FIFA expects record revenues, fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be the ones who pay the price.
Amnesty is calling on FIFA and the three host governments to put concrete safeguards in place before the tournament. Its recommendations include limits on immigration raids around match days, protections against racial profiling and arbitrary detention, and clear guarantees for peaceful protest and free expression.
The group says there is still time to prevent the World Cup from becoming a platform for authoritarian practices. It insists that the rights of ordinary people, not the interests of governments or sponsors, must be placed at the centre of the competition.
About the author
Nico Gravity battles heart failure, appeals for financial support
Veteran musician Nico Gravity has revealed he is battling heart failure and serious kidney complications, and is appealing to the public for urgent financial assistance to continue his treatment. The singer, known for his viral diss track “Finish Timaya,” made the appeal in an emotional video shared on his Facebook page, where he explained that he has been very ill for the past two months. “Guys, I am very sick. For the past two months, I have been diagnosed with heart failure. I need help,” he said, adding that he had started urinating blood, which doctors linked to a kidney problem. Nico Gravity explained that doctors asked him to undergo a series of tests and that a kidney function test showed his kidneys now have “serious problems.” He said his high blood pressure damaged his heart, which in turn affected […]
AMVCA: Bovi, Nomzamo Mbatha to host 12th edition
Nigerian comedian and actor Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha have been officially announced as co hosts of the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA). The prestigious film and television awards ceremony will hold on May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The pair will take over from popular presenter IK Osakioduwa, who anchored the show for 10 straight editions and became synonymous with its glitz and energy. Reacting to his appointment, Bovi said hosting the AMVCA stage comes with both excitement and responsibility. “The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don’t take that lightly,” he noted, promising to bring the energy, laughs and magic that the celebration of African storytelling deserves. Nomzamo Mbatha, an actress, producer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, brings significant global star power to the […]
Rangers target Blackburn’s Alebiosu to fill Tavernier void
Scottish giants Rangers have identified Nigerian defender Ryan Alebiosu as a leading candidate to replace long serving captain James Tavernier at right back. With Tavernier widely expected to leave Ibrox at the end of the season, the club is actively scouring the market for defensive reinforcements and has zeroed in on Alebiosu following his impressive performances in England. The 23 year old full back is under contract with Blackburn Rovers until 2028 and has also attracted interest from Serie A side Genoa, Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and Premier League club Everton. Blackburn’s uncertain league position could influence negotiations, with reports suggesting relegation fears might force the club to consider a lower fee than originally expected. As Rangers prepare for a new era beyond Tavernier, Alebiosu’s energy, versatility and development potential make him a strong option to fill the looming void on […]
EPL: Arsenal eye return to top spot, Spurs fight for survival
Arsenal can reclaim top spot in the Premier League this weekend while Tottenham Hotspur face a desperate scrap for survival at the bottom of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side go into the round level with Manchester City on 70 points after 33 matches, with both teams boasting a goal difference of +37. City lead only on goals scored and are on FA Cup duty against Southampton, giving Arsenal the chance to move back above them when they host Newcastle on Saturday evening. The Gunners saw a nine point advantage evaporate and lost 2–1 to City at the Etihad last weekend, but they are viewed as having the easier run in on paper. If they beat or even draw with Newcastle, they will return to the summit, and they also play before City again next week, meaning they could be six […]
NFF steps up pursuit of Newcastle’s Osula for Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation has intensified efforts to convince Newcastle United forward William Osula to switch his international allegiance from Denmark to the Super Eagles. The 22 year old, who joined Newcastle from Sheffield United, has enjoyed a surge in form in recent weeks after a slow start to the season, highlighted by a decisive goal against Manchester United that boosted his profile in the Premier League. Osula, who has Nigerian roots and has endeared himself to local fans with a viral clip of him cooking Ogbono soup while playfully mocking opponents, remains eligible to represent multiple countries. Born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and a Nigerian French father, he has played for Denmark at youth level and recently received a senior call up but is yet to make a competitive appearance. Reports suggest the NFF has opened contacts […]
High Court rules FCCPC can probe customers’ complaints against banks, other financial institutions
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has the power to investigate consumers’ complaints against banks and other financial institutions. The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, dismissed a suit filed by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, which had challenged the Commission’s jurisdiction in matters involving a commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). UBA’s case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1972/2025, was thrown out in its entirety and the bank was fined N2 million for filing what the judge described as a frivolous and unmeritorious action. FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, hailed the judgment as “a big victory for bank customers,” saying it strengthens advocacy for consumer rights in the financial sector. In its statement signed by Corporate Affairs Director Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission explained […]
Related
Rangers target Blackburn’s Alebiosu to fill Tavernier void
Scottish giants Rangers have identified Nigerian defender Ryan Alebiosu as a leading candidate to replace long serving captain James Tavernier at right back. With Tavernier widely expected to leave Ibrox at the end of the season, the club is actively scouring the market for defensive reinforcements and has zeroed in on Alebiosu following his impressive performances in England. The 23 year old full back is under contract with Blackburn Rovers until 2028 and has also attracted interest from Serie A side Genoa, Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and Premier League club Everton. Blackburn’s uncertain league position could influence negotiations, with reports suggesting relegation fears might force the club to consider a lower fee than originally expected. As Rangers prepare for a new era beyond Tavernier, Alebiosu’s energy, versatility and development potential make him a strong option to fill the looming void on […]
EPL: Arsenal eye return to top spot, Spurs fight for survival
Arsenal can reclaim top spot in the Premier League this weekend while Tottenham Hotspur face a desperate scrap for survival at the bottom of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side go into the round level with Manchester City on 70 points after 33 matches, with both teams boasting a goal difference of +37. City lead only on goals scored and are on FA Cup duty against Southampton, giving Arsenal the chance to move back above them when they host Newcastle on Saturday evening. The Gunners saw a nine point advantage evaporate and lost 2–1 to City at the Etihad last weekend, but they are viewed as having the easier run in on paper. If they beat or even draw with Newcastle, they will return to the summit, and they also play before City again next week, meaning they could be six […]
NFF steps up pursuit of Newcastle’s Osula for Eagles
The Nigeria Football Federation has intensified efforts to convince Newcastle United forward William Osula to switch his international allegiance from Denmark to the Super Eagles. The 22 year old, who joined Newcastle from Sheffield United, has enjoyed a surge in form in recent weeks after a slow start to the season, highlighted by a decisive goal against Manchester United that boosted his profile in the Premier League. Osula, who has Nigerian roots and has endeared himself to local fans with a viral clip of him cooking Ogbono soup while playfully mocking opponents, remains eligible to represent multiple countries. Born in Copenhagen to a Danish mother and a Nigerian French father, he has played for Denmark at youth level and recently received a senior call up but is yet to make a competitive appearance. Reports suggest the NFF has opened contacts […]
Spain’s Lamine Yamal sidelined with hamstring injury but expected to be fit for World Cup
Spain winger Lamine Yamal has suffered a hamstring injury but is still expected to be fit in time for this summer’s 2026 World Cup, Barcelona have confirmed. “Tests have confirmed that first team player Lamine Yamal has a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement on Thursday. Barca added that the teenager will undergo conservative treatment, will miss the rest of the season, but “is expected to be available for the World Cup,” which runs from 11 June to 19 July. Yamal picked up the injury in Barcelona’s 1–0 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday. The 18 year old won and converted the decisive penalty but immediately pulled up in pain after scoring past goalkeeper Ionut Radu, calling for treatment and lying on the turf while team mates celebrated. He was replaced by […]
Osimhen: Ex sporting director backs De Laurentiis over rejected €200m PSG offer
Former Napoli sporting director Mauro Meluso says club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was right to reject a reported €200 million joint offer from Paris Saint Germain for Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2023. Speaking on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, Meluso explained that De Laurentiis did not want to weaken the squad immediately after winning the Scudetto and felt that selling both star forwards at once would have sent the wrong message to the dressing room and fans. “Should Osimhen and Kvara have been sold together to PSG immediately after their third Scudetto? At that point, De Laurentiis didn’t want to weaken Napoli,” he said, insisting the decision was taken for the good of the club rather than purely financial reasons. Meluso admitted that, with hindsight, some might argue the sale should have gone through, but maintained that offloading both […]
No FIFA plans to replace Iran with Italy at World Cup
FIFA has no plans to replace Iran with Italy at this summer’s World Cup despite a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampolli. Speculation over Iran’s participation had grown because of the ongoing war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, but world football’s governing body has reaffirmed that Iran will take part as scheduled. Zampolli, an Italian‑American and long‑time Trump ally, told the Financial Times he had suggested to both Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that four‑time champions Italy be invited to take Iran’s place at the U.S.‑hosted tournament. “I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup,” Zampolli said, describing it as a “dream” to see the Azzurri at a World Cup staged in the United States. Italy failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup […]
Be the first to leave a comment