FIFA and the 2026 World Cup: Prioritizing Human Rights in Global Sports Events

FIFA’s Peace Prize Faces Scrutiny Amid Human Rights Concerns for 2026 world Cup

Washington, D.C. (December 4, 2025) – As FIFA prepares to award its inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” on December 5th, a coalition of human rights organizations, unions, and supporters’ groups is calling for greater accountability. The groups, including the Sport & Rights Alliance, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, are urging FIFA to ensure the 2026 World Cup respects the rights of all involved.

Concerns Over Human Rights Loom Large

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is seen as an chance for FIFA to set a new standard. The organizations involved are advocating for strong worker protections, children’s rights, media freedom, and assurances that local communities benefit from the event.

Andrea Florence, Executive Director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, noted that the 2026 World Cup was the first to integrate human rights criteria into the bidding process. Though, she expressed concern that the current human rights situation in the United States could undermine these commitments. Specifically, the groups are pointing to rising attacks against migrants, the cancellation of FIFA’s anti-discrimination messages, and threats to press freedom.

Peace Prize Raises questions

The process for awarding the FIFA Peace Prize has drawn criticism due to its lack of clarity. Human Rights Watch has requested information about the nominees,judges,criteria,and award process,but has yet to receive a response.

Minky Worden, who oversees Human Rights Watch’s work on rights in the context of sports, stated that the award is being presented amid troubling circumstances. She emphasized that FIFA has an opportunity to uphold its promises and ensure a World Cup free of human rights violations.

Key Areas of Concern

Civil society groups have expressed specific worries about several key areas:

Workers’ Rights

Cathy Feingold, International director of the AFL-CIO and Vice President of the ITUC, highlighted the importance of worker protections, stating workers make the World Cup possible. she stressed that FIFA must respect its commitments to guarantee workers’ and human rights are upheld.

Media Freedom

Clayton Weimers, Executive Director of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) USA, emphasized the role of journalists in providing information about the tournament.He urged FIFA and host governments to ensure the freedom and safety of journalists.

Immigration and Law enforcement

Jamil Dakwar, Director of Human Rights Research at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), expressed concern about the potential for rights violations. He called on FIFA to use its influence to end rights violations, including freedom of expression and the right to assembly.

Civil Rights and Discrimination

Jamal Watkins, Senior Vice President for Strategy and Advancement at the NAACP, stated that FIFA’s decision to roll back anti-racism and anti-discrimination messaging sent a worrying signal. He urged FIFA to stand firm on its commitments.

Athletes’ Rights and LGBTQ+ Safety

Matthew Pacifici, an Athlete Ally ambassador, highlighted the need for enforceable protections for LGBTQ+ players and fans. He emphasized the importance of FIFA protecting them.

Supporters’ Opinions and Fan Safety

Bailey Brown, President of the Autonomous Supporters Council, called for transparency and consultation wiht fans regarding safety measures.

Child Protection

Katherine La Puente, Senior Children’s Rights Coordinator at Human Rights Watch, noted that FIFA lacks a child protection policy for the 2026 World Cup. She highlighted the risks children face at major sporting events.

Rights of Host City Residents and Communities

Jennifer Li, Coordinator of Dignity 2026, emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of all, including local residents. She stated that host communities should benefit from the event.

Did You Know? The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event globally, with billions of viewers tuning in. The 2018 World Cup in Russia reached over 3.5 billion viewers.

Host City Action Plans

As part of FIFA’s human rights program for the 2026 World Cup, each host city is required to develop its own human rights action plan. The plans are designed to prevent discrimination, support workers’ rights, protect children, and combat human trafficking. Human Rights Watch, along with other organizations, is urging FIFA to ensure these plans are robust and effective.

The coalition of organizations urges FIFA to reintroduce anti-discrimination messages, ensure effective protection against racial profiling and arbitrary detention, work with community partners to finalize human rights action plans, ensure respect for freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration, announce and implement a thorough child protection policy, and ensure that communities benefit considerably from the 2026 World Cup.

pro Tip: Stay informed by following reputable news sources and human rights organizations for updates on the 2026 World Cup and FIFA’s actions.

Key Demands from Human Rights Groups

The primary demands of the coalition can be summarized as follows:

Issue	Demand
Anti-Discrimination	Reintroduce and strengthen anti-discrimination messaging.
Worker Protections	Ensure strong worker rights are upheld.
media freedom	Guarantee the safety and freedom of journalists.
Fan Safety	Prioritize fan safety and consult with supporters.
Child Protection	Implement a comprehensive child protection policy.
Community Benefit	Ensure host communities benefit from the World Cup.

Evergreen Insights: The Ongoing Fight for Human Rights in sports

The scrutiny surrounding the 2026 World Cup highlights a broader trend: the increasing importance of human rights in the world of sports. Major sporting events, while offering entertainment and unifying global audiences, are increasingly under pressure to consider their impact on human rights.

This includes ensuring fair labor practices in construction and event operations,protecting vulnerable communities from exploitation,and safeguarding freedom of expression for athletes,journalists,and fans. The pressure from various organizations compels sports governing bodies to create and implement stronger human rights policies.

This evolving landscape underscores that the celebration of sports should not come at the expense of human dignity. For fans and the public concerned, staying informed, supporting relevant causes, and demanding accountability are key to promoting positive change.

what do you think about the concerns raised by the human rights organizations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How can FIFA effectively implement human rights due diligence across three host nations with varying legal frameworks and human rights records?

The Growing Scrutiny of FIFA & Major Sporting Events

For decades, FIFA, the governing body of international football (soccer), has faced increasing scrutiny. While celebrated for the World Cup, the institution has also been embroiled in controversies surrounding corruption, labor rights, and human rights abuses related to hosting nations. The upcoming 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and mexico, presents a critical chance for FIFA to demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical sports governance and human rights due diligence. This isn’t just about public relations; it’s about fulfilling a moral and increasingly legal obligation. The recent negative reception of FIFA 23 on platforms like Steam (as reported in December 2023) highlights a growing consumer awareness and demand for accountability within the football ecosystem.

Human Rights Risks Associated with the World Cup

Hosting a mega-event like the FIFA World Cup inherently carries important human rights risks. These risks aren’t limited to construction workers building stadiums and infrastructure. They extend to:

* Labor exploitation: Low wages, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions on freedom of association for construction workers.

* Forced Evictions: Displacement of communities to make way for stadiums and related developments.

* Discrimination: Marginalized groups facing discrimination in access to employment, services, and opportunities related to the event.

* Security Forces Abuses: Potential for excessive force and arbitrary arrests by security personnel.

* Restrictions on Freedom of Expression: Limitations on protests and dissent related to the event.

* Impact on Indigenous Communities: Disruption of customary lands and cultural practices.

These risks are particularly acute in countries with weak rule of law and limited protections for vulnerable populations.

The 2026 World Cup: A Tri-Nation Approach to Human Rights

The 2026 World Cup’s unique tri-nation hosting model – the US,Canada,and Mexico – presents both challenges and opportunities. Each country has distinct legal frameworks and human rights records.

* United States: While generally possessing strong labor laws, concerns remain regarding worker protections in the construction industry and potential discrimination against marginalized communities.

* Canada: Focus is on respecting Indigenous rights and ensuring fair labor practices, particularly concerning temporary foreign workers.

* Mexico: Historically, Mexico has faced significant challenges related to labor rights, corruption, and violence, requiring heightened vigilance.

FIFA, alongside the host nations, must implement a coordinated and robust human rights strategy that addresses these specific contexts. This strategy should be based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

FIFA’s Human Rights Obligations: Beyond Policy Statements

FIFA has published human rights policies and conducted human rights impact assessments. However, these efforts have often been criticized as insufficient. True commitment requires:

1. Robust Due Diligence: Conducting thorough and ongoing human rights due diligence throughout the entire lifecycle of the event – from bidding to legacy planning.
2. Remedy Mechanisms: Establishing accessible and effective grievance mechanisms for workers and communities affected by the World Cup. This includes autonomous monitoring and examination of complaints.
3. Transparency and Accountability: Publicly disclosing human rights risks and mitigation measures, and holding stakeholders accountable for violations.
4. Worker welfare Standards: Implementing and enforcing strict worker welfare standards,including fair wages,safe working conditions,and freedom of association.
5. Community Engagement: Meaningfully engaging with affected communities and incorporating their perspectives into decision-making processes.
6. Independent Monitoring: Allowing independent human rights organizations access to monitor conditions and report on progress.

Case Study: The 2022 Qatar World Cup – Lessons Learned

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar served as a stark reminder of the potential human rights consequences of mega-sporting events. Reports of migrant worker deaths, exploitative labor practices, and restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights sparked widespread condemnation.While Qatar implemented some labor reforms, critics argue they were insufficient and came too late. The Qatar experience underscores the need for proactive and comprehensive human rights safeguards for the 2026 World Cup.The controversy surrounding the event also fueled negative sentiment towards FIFA products, as evidenced by the FIFA 23 Steam reviews.

Benefits of Prioritizing Human Rights in Sports

Prioritizing human rights isn’t just the right thing to do; it also offers significant benefits:

* Enhanced Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to human rights can enhance FIFA’s and the host nations’ reputations.

* increased Public Trust: Building trust with fans, sponsors, and the broader public.

* reduced legal Risks: Mitigating the risk of legal challenges and reputational damage.

* Enduring Legacy: Creating a positive and lasting legacy for the World Cup.