2026 World Cup Human Rights Under Scrutiny as FIFA Faces Criticism Over Safeguards
FIFA’s commitment to upholding human rights for the 2026 World Cup in North America is facing increasing scrutiny, with advocates expressing concern that the governing body has weakened crucial safeguards designed to protect vulnerable populations. While FIFA is implementing a new protocol requiring host committees to develop action plans, critics argue the framework lacks the necessary enforceability and clarity to ensure meaningful change.
The push for robust human rights protections comes after years of scandals surrounding World Cup tournaments, particularly concerns over the treatment of migrant workers during preparations for the 2022 event in Qatar. “Even though where we landed is very different than what we had consulted them on, the existence of the framework is in many ways unprecedented,” stated Jennifer Li, director of the O’Neill Institute’s Center for Community Health Innovation at georgetown Law and national coordinator of the Dignity 2026 Coalition, which is collaborating with FIFA on human rights initiatives. “Sports bodies have not had human rights frameworks that reflected the breadth of issues covered across so many jurisdictions. But the plan is just a plan. It’s not self-executing.”
Several U.S. host committees reportedly missed a March deadline for submitting initial drafts of their plans, raising further questions about the preparedness and commitment to these safeguards. A FIFA spokesperson indicated the institution is actively working with host cities and counties, asserting they remain on track to finalize action plans by the August 29 deadline. Sixteen North American sites, including 11 in the U.S., are slated to host games.
Reported by local news outlets. “There’s no guarantee that you might not have ICE posted up at the World Cup,” warned Jeff Mitchell, President of the South Florida AFL-CIO.
Local organizers, Mitchell added, have not yet agreed to meet with the union and the region has a documented history of wage theft coupled with weak worker protections against extreme heat. “organizations like FIFA like to say that they have these human rights efforts, but they aren’t pushing it,” Mitchell stated. “They’re leaving it up to the locals to do it. What tends to happen is everybody gets their bag and then they turn a blind eye to making sure people are getting paid properly or not being harassed.”
Concerns also extend to the treatment of unhoused populations. In Atlanta, officials are implementing the “Downtown Rising” plan, aimed at reducing homelessness before the world Cup. However, advocates fear a repeat of 1996, when over 9,000 unhoused individuals were arrested during preparations for the Olympic Games. Atlanta officials maintain the plan focuses on providing housing, not incarceration.
Similar concerns are emerging in California,where Governor Gavin Newsom has called for the banning of encampments and offered funding for mental health and substance use treatment. Cities hosting World Cup events, including San Jose, are increasing enforcement, with individuals refusing shelter now facing potential arrest for trespassing. “This panic rush to disappear visible signs of poverty is very concerning,” said Dr.Mark Spencer, an Atlanta hospital physician involved in local advocacy. “Politicians and the business community know that visible signs of poverty are unpopular, and that’s the driving force behind what is happening. It’s not about human rights in any meaningful way.”
FIFA’s 2017 human rights policy mandates that bidders for the men’s 2026 World Cup respect “international human rights and labor standards according to the United Nations’ guiding principles.” However, a formal complaint filed by a group of international lawyers in May alleges FIFA is failing to uphold this policy regarding the 2034 host, Saudi Arabia.
Despite the challenges, some remain optimistic. Labor rights expert Deborah Greenfield,an advisor to FIFA’s 2026 human rights efforts,believes the organization is genuinely committed to a tournament that “respects and promotes human rights.” Candace Stanciel, Atlanta’s chief equity officer, emphasized the city’s pre-existing commitment to human rights, citing initiatives to combat human trafficking in transportation hubs. seattle has also taken a proactive step, with its labor organizations and organizing committee signing a labor standards agreement last year.The International Labour Organization has lauded FIFA’s human rights framework as “an important step forward in harnessing the power of sport to advance decent work globally.”
