ACLU issues travel advisory for 2026 World Cup, warns visitors of 'potential human rights abuses' in U.S.

The ACLU then laid out the potential risks visitors could face if they decide to come to the United States for the 2026 World Cup. They included “arbitrary denial of entry” to the country, “invasive social media screening” and “violent and unconstitutional immigration enforcement,” among other warnings.

The organization urged visitors to know their rights, secure their electronic devices and let friends or family know the dates and locations they plan to visit in the United States if they still plan to attend the event.

In addition to the travel advisory, the ACLU also put out a statement urging FIFA to “uphold human rights” ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The organization implied FIFA was not living up to the 2026 World Cup slogan — “football unites the world” — by holding the event in a country in which some individuals face “daily fear of racial profiling, inhumane detention, separation from loved ones, and summary deportation because of President Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement.”

The organization called out FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, for remaining silent on those issues. The ACLU also called out Infantino aligning “himself closer to the Trump administration,” pointing out that FIFA awarded Trump with its first Peace Prize.

In the statement, the ACLU laid out various ways in which it believes the Trump administration has violated “both international and U.S. human rights law.” Those include the U.S. not showing up to a United Nations human-rights review in 2025, the operation of ICE detention centers in the country, Trump starting an “illegal war with Iran” and engaging in “unlawful, lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean,” among other potential violations.

To ends its statement, the ACLU urged FIFA to “pressure the U.S. government to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games, as well as those working and living in the 11 U.S. host cities.” It directed fans to sign a petition urging FIFA to take action to “protect the fundamental rights of the millions of players, fans, journalists, workers, and community members” ahead of the 2026 World Cup.