Rights Groups Issue Travel Advisory for US During World Cup

US Groups Issue Travel Advisory for 2026 FIFA World Cup; White House Responds

A coalition of over 120 civil society groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Amnesty International, has issued a travel advisory for foreigners attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The warning highlights concerns about human rights in the US and calls on FIFA, host cities, and the US government to provide concrete guarantees.

The advisory points to six areas of risk for visitors, including arbitrary denial of entry, invasive social media screening, and expanded restrictions on travel and entry into the US. At least 39 countries are currently subject to wide-ranging US travel bans, with some teams competing in the World Cup facing specific restrictions.

In response, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that President Trump is focused on ensuring the safety and security of all fans and visitors. He described the advisory as “ridiculous scare tactics” driven by liberal activist groups and the left-wing media.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract millions of visitors from around the world, with games taking place across Mexico, Canada, and the US. The event has raised concerns about how it will interact with the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies.

FIFA has not confirmed whether it will take action to address these concerns, but the organization has previously maintained that the Iranian team has the right to compete in the US. The White House has also suggested that Iran may not be a safe option for the World Cup, although President Trump has stated that the players remain “welcome”.

The advisory was released as the World Cup approaches, with many groups calling on FIFA and host cities to provide public commitments about plans to protect residents, workers, and visitors.

Source: Al Jazeera