The ACLU has joined more than 120 other American civil rights groups in issuing a joint travel advisory to overseas visitors heading to soccer World Cup games in the US next month.
Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) were among the signatories to a travel advisory.
The groups warn of serious rights violations which includes arbitrary denial of entry; detention and/or deportation; travel restrictions; invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices, violent (and unlawful) immigration enforcement such as racial profiling, suppression of speech, greater surveillance and inhumane treatment in custody.
“FIFA has been paying lip service to human rights while cosying up to the Trump administration, putting millions of people at risk of being harmed and their basic rights violated,” claims Jamil Dakwar, ACLU human rights program director.
“The administration’s actions continue to threaten our communities, tourists, and fans alike – and it’s past time that FIFA use its leverage to push for meaningful policy changes and binding assurances that will make people feel safe to travel and enjoy the games.”
Click here for the full statement and list of signatory organisations.
As of April 16, the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website is advising Australians visiting the US Cup games to exercise normal safety precautions.
ABOUT THE WORLD CUP
The 2026 World Cup will be held across the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19.
A record 48 teams are due to take part, involving 104 matches (including Iran whose participation was recently confirmed by FIFA amid concerns over its war with the US).
Australia is ranked 27th and due to play: Turkiye in Vancouver on June 14, USA in Seattle on June 20 and Paraguay on June 26.
The Socceroos are attending a pre-camp session at Sarasota, Florida, with the final squad to be named on June 1.
WHO ELSE FROM ACLU IS SPEAKING OUT
• Jennifer Li leads Dignity 2026, an American national coalition that is working with grassroots groups in host cities.
“The spectre of immigration enforcement this summer has become the leading concern among grassroots organisations across host cities,” she says.
“With less than two months to go, we are still waiting for public commitments from FIFA and host city organisers about plans to protect residents, workers, and visitors. The silence has been deafening,” she says.
• “We are excited for fellow supporters to experience the World Cup and our soccer culture but there are still too many unknowns across host cities,” says Bailey Brown, President of the Independent Supporters Council North America.
“This advisory is about urging caution so that fans can arrive prepared, stay safe, and avoid preventable issues that could also place a strain on local communities and resources.”
• “Fans, journalists and others traveling to the US for the World Cup risk encountering a deeply troubling human rights landscape, shaped by the administration’s racist immigration policies, mass detention and deportation, and attacks on freedom of expression and peaceful protest,” says Daniel Norona, the Americas Advocacy Director for Amnesty International USA.
“If the US government and host cities cannot guarantee the rights and safety of all, this tournament risks falling far short of FIFA’s promise of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive event, for traveling fans, journalists, players and people already living in the US alike.”
The advisory encourages travellers, including thousands of journalists, to act to protect themselves by removing facial recognition from their devices; alerting family, friends or trusted colleagues of plans to travel within the US; and consulting other “Know Your Rights” resources.
In February, days after ICE agents killed US citizen Nicole Good in Minneapolis, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said its agents would provide security at the tournament, which has heightened concerns about potential ICE violence and a crackdown on fans.
The ACLU is also involved in other civil rights appeals against the US Government; click here for more about them.
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