Rights Groups Warn Fans to Be Careful Travelling to USA for World Cup
Several human rights groups have warned fans, players, journalists and visitors planning to attend this summer’s World Cup in the United States to be careful when travelling.
More than 120 organisations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, issued a travel advisory. They said the warning is because of what they described as a strict and harsh immigration crackdown by the administration of Donald Trump.
In their statement, the groups said the situation in the country could be risky, especially for minority groups, who they believe may face serious problems. They also criticised Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, over his close relationship with Trump.
The organisations called on FIFA to put pressure on US authorities to respect the rights of everyone travelling for the tournament.
US officials have not yet responded to the warning. However, FIFA said it is committed to respecting human rights and will continue to support their protection during the competition.
The rights groups also warned about possible issues such as denial of entry, arrests, travel restrictions, social media checks, racial profiling and increased surveillance. They noted that there are travel bans affecting citizens from some countries taking part in the tournament, including Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
They advised travellers to take safety steps such as removing sensitive information from their phones and keeping family and friends informed about their movements.
The United States will host most of the matches in the tournament, which it is organising together with Canada and Mexico.
The groups also accused FIFA of not giving clear safety guarantees for visitors, while pointing again to Infantino’s relationship with Trump. In December, Infantino presented Trump with FIFA’s first Peace Prize.
Immigration control has been a major focus of the Trump administration, with agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement expanding their operations. The agency has faced criticism over its actions, especially after reports of deadly incidents during protests.
US authorities have said immigration officers will be part of World Cup security. Meanwhile, fan group Football Supporters Europe raised concerns about increased police presence in the country.
Last month, Amnesty International warned that the World Cup could become a platform for repression.
In response, the White House World Cup Task Force said the tournament would be safe and welcoming. It added that fans should expect a smooth and secure event, promising a memorable competition for everyone.
