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A human rights report warns that immigration enforcement in the US is damaging football communities and creating risks ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has already started, but a new human rights report warns that many football communities in the United States are experiencing fear rather than excitement.
The Human Rights Soccer Alliance (HRSA) published a report titled Fear, Intimidation and the World Cup: The impact of immigration enforcement on soccer in the United States, arguing that intensified immigration operations are already reshaping football culture across the country and creating what it describes as "unprecedented human rights risks" ahead of the tournament.
The report documents 17 separate cases involving players, coaches, parents and supporters who were detained or deported since January 2025. According to HRSA, incidents occurred during routine immigration appointments, while travelling to matches, attending football events or supporting children participating in youth football programmes.
Beyond documented cases, the organisation describes a wider atmosphere of anxiety spreading across grassroots football. Youth sessions have reportedly been cancelled, players have disappeared from teams, families have withdrawn children from programmes and supporters have changed matchday routines because of concerns around immigration enforcement.
The scale of enforcement activity highlighted in the report is significant. HRSA claims that between January 20 and October 15, 2025, ICE arrested at least 92,392 people in and around World Cup host cities. According to the report, schools, community centres, parks, sports facilities and youth tournaments have all experienced disruptions, with enforcement activity near pitches contributing to reduced participation.
Evan Whitfield, chair of HRSA and former US international, described the situation as urgent.
"This is an emergency. The communities that built the game in the United States are now being made to feel unsafe in the very spaces where they should belong. Soccer should be a sanctuary, not a site of intimidation."
Whitfield also criticised preparations for the World Cup itself.
"For the World Cup, we see no urgency from FIFA, host cities, or the government to ensure the World Cup is safe for all. In fact, there are now announcements from some host cities that ICE will be playing a role at venues and in cities."
The report calls on FIFA to secure guarantees preventing immigration enforcement activities in and around World Cup venues, improve visa access and ensure that event security systems are not used for immigration-related data sharing.
HRSA also wants US Soccer, MLS, local leagues and grassroots organisations to introduce clearer safety measures and expand education around legal rights before football’s biggest tournament arrives.
The World Cup is still months away.
According to this report, concerns inside football communities have already started.