HRW urges FIFA to secure 'ICE Truce' for 2026 World Cup amid immigration enforcement concerns

Human Rights Watch has formally called on FIFA to pressure the United States government into establishing an 'ICE Truce' for the 2026 World Cup. The organisation demands a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations, including arrests and deportations, at games and venues throughout the tournament. This proposal seeks to create a safe environment for athletes, fans, and workers by halting active enforcement during the event.

The report highlights that current immigration crackdowns under the administration of President Donald Trump have created conditions rights groups argue are unsafe for minorities. Specific concerns include the risk of arbitrary detention, deportation, and racial profiling. While the White House and the Department of Homeland Security maintain that legal visitors have nothing to worry about, advocacy groups contend that the political context poses significant risks to those travelling to the US for the showpiece event.

Human Rights Watch has written directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, urging him to use the organisation's leverage to demand the Trump administration roll back discriminatory travel bans. The group insists that Infantino and his colleagues must demand the administration refrain from abusive enforcement operations in and around World Cup venues. Furthermore, HRW is calling for a commitment to uphold freedom of assembly and speech, as well as the protection of children's rights during the competition.

The concept of an 'ICE Truce' draws inspiration from the ancient Greek 'Olympic Truce', a historical tradition where warring city-states paused hostilities to allow safe travel for athletes and spectators. This initiative aims to replicate that spirit of neutrality and safety for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. It marks the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams across 11 host cities.

In response to the concerns, White House spokesman Davis Ingle stated that the administration is focused on ensuring the event is the safest and most secure in history. He dismissed the warnings as ridiculous scare tactics driven by liberal activist groups, asserting that close coordination between the Trump Administration, FIFA, and federal partners would ensure an incredible experience for all visitors. Conversely, a DHS spokesperson affirmed that international visitors legally in the US have nothing to worry about, noting that enforcement targets only those illegally in the country.

Advocacy groups have intensified their warnings by issuing a travel advisory for visitors travelling to the US for the World Cup. The advisory cautions that fans, players, journalists, and other visitors may face arbitrary detention, deportation, or searches of electronic devices. These concerns follow a March statement from Amnesty International, which warned that the tournament risks drifting away from the safe, free and inclusive event promised by FIFA.

Compounding the criticism, Human Rights Watch noted it had requested details regarding FIFA's inaugural peace prize, observing that Donald Trump was awarded the prize in December. The group argues that by bestowing this award, Infantino risks turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup into a sportswashing exercise, particularly in a world that already faces too many such events.