THE World Cup risks becoming “a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices” unless urgent action is taken to respect human rights across the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to a new report from Amnesty International.

Millions of football fans are set to attend the expanded 48-team tournament, which kicks off on June 11 when Mexico face South Africa.

While Fifa’s statutes embed a commitment to making sure hosting the showpiece global event does not involve “adverse impacts” on internationally recognised human rights, concerns remain — particularly around the USA, where 78 of the matches will take place at 11 venues including the final in New Jersey.

Amnesty International’s new 36-page report Humanity Must Win: Defending rights, tackling repression at the 2026 Fifa World Cup details what the organisation calls “significant risks” to and which will impact on fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities in all three host countries.

“Fifa itself has promised a tournament where everyone ‘feels safe, included and free to exercise their rights.’ It is a promise that has rarely been more needed — and is at high risk of being broken,” the report says, highlighting the actions of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents which resulted in civil unrest along with Mexico’s response to high levels of violence, raising concerns for peaceful protests.

Travel bans have been imposed by the US on nationals of some countries who have qualified for the World Cup, while there are also worries over discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.

In Canada, Amnesty International said, a growing housing crisis has increased fears that people experiencing homelessness will be displaced. According to the report, a winter shelter for homeless people in Toronto was closed a month early due to the venue being “pre-booked” for use by Fifa as part of the city’s hosting agreement.

“Only four of the 16 host cities have so far published their human rights plans — and none of those that have done so to date say anything about protection from abusive immigration enforcement,” said Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice Steve Cockburn.

“This World Cup is no longer the ‘medium risk’ tournament that Fifa once judged it to be — whether it is to protect people from ICE, guarantee the right to protest or prevent homelessness, urgent action is needed to make sure the reality of this World Cup matches its original promise.”

The Amnesty International report concludes: “There is still time to save the 2026 World Cup from becoming a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices.

“Host governments must meet their obligations under international human rights law, while Fifa, national FAs and sponsors all have clear responsibilities to respect human rights and use their significant leverage to protect fans, players, journalists, workers and local communities.

“It is these people — not governments, Fifa or sponsors — to whom football belongs, and their rights must be at the centre of this tournament.”

Fifa has been contacted for comment on the report.