Many soccer fans, me included, have mixed feelings about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The world’s biggest sporting event is happening alongside a brutal immigration crackdown and assault on human rights by the administration of President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, rather than challenging the US government’s abusive policies, awarded Trump the concocted FIFA Peace Prize, citing his “unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world.”
But soccer fans shouldn’t let the Trump administration’s abuses and FIFA’s disregard ruin our World Cup. We can still cheer on our teams while fighting for justice and equality. Here’s how.
- Call for an “ICE Truce” for the World Cup.
In the eighth century BC, warring Greek city-states agreed to cease hostilities so that athletes and fans could travel safely to and from the Olympic Games, inspiring the idea of an Olympic Truce still observed today by the United Nations.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s immigration operations target communities of color to carry out arbitrary arrests and, at times, violent treatment in detention, posing a significant risk for fans and workers at the World Cup.
Faith groups, labor unions, and local businesses are asking fans to sign onto “No ICE in the Cup,” calling on ICE not to operate at World Cup festivities, from stadiums to watch parties.
- Attend a Pride World Cup Watch party.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, whose government has a record of rights violations against LGBT people, police confiscated rainbow flags (and socks). Afterward, FIFA promised this year’s tournament would welcome all communities, “in an environment where they feel safe, included, and free to exercise their rights.”
But amid the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on LGBT communities and transgender youth, FIFA has dropped anti-homophobia messaging from its non-discrimination campaigns, and most US host cities, including Boston and Dallas, have not included any references to LGBT rights or protections in their human rights action plans for the tournament. The Atlanta plan, in contrast, promises at least “two FIFA-connected community events developed in partnership with Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ organizations.”
Soccer fans can show their support for LGBT communities by attending or organizing Pride World Cup Watch parties. Seattle has developed a guide to local Pride events at the World Cup and “This Is How We Pride” videos featuring former US soccer star Megan Rapinoe. The Centre for Sports and Human Rights has also created a World Cup Fan and Communities guide that includes links to Pride events and resources.
- Cheer for Teams Whose Supporters Won’t be in the US.
The Caribbean nation of Haiti qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, a welcome distraction for a country suffering widespread criminal violence and a severe human rights and humanitarian crisis. The Trump administration, however, has barred Haitians from visiting the US and has imposed strict restrictions on visas for nationals of several other World Cup teams, including Senegal and the Ivory Coast.
The US government is also trying to terminate Temporary Protected Status – a form of protection from deportation – for more than 500,000 Haitians already in the US. A US Supreme Court decision on the legality of terminating the status, which could ultimately affect 1.3 million people from 17 countries, is due this summer.
In addition to cheering for Haiti on the field, fans can support organizations like Haitian Bridge Alliance, which advocates for humane immigration policies, and Welcome.US, which partners with advocacy groups to help Americans sponsor and accept newcomers into their communities.
- Campaign for a Fairer FIFA.
FIFA needs fundamental change if it is to meaningfully protect the rights of fans, workers, and athletes. FIFA in 2016 adopted a human rights policy and has integrated human rights requirements into the World Cup bidding rules.
But FIFA’s actions since then show that profound change is needed, from Trump’s FIFA Peace Prize to the whitewashing of human rights concerns when awarding Saudi Arabia and its horrific rights record the 2034 World Cup.
Frustrated fans can join a mass complaint to FIFA’s ethics committee filed by FairSquare, a sport and rights-focused group.
- Enjoy the Soccer
Soccer fanatics shouldn’t let the Trump administration’s cruel policies and FIFA’s “see no evil” approach spoil our World Cup. We can enjoy the beautiful game while pushing for more respect for human rights, on and off the pitch.
