21 US Soccer Fan Groups Back World Cup Travel Warning as ICE Arrests Hit 167,000
Updated
Updated · Forbes · Jun 9
21 US Soccer Fan Groups Back World Cup Travel Warning as ICE Arrests Hit 167,000
3 articles · Updated · Forbes · Jun 9
Summary
Twenty-one U.S. soccer fan groups joined the ACLU and other civil society organizations in issuing a travel advisory warning World Cup visitors that Trump-era immigration enforcement poses risks in the United States.
The warning cites what organizers call rising authoritarianism, with immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ people facing particular danger during the June 11-July 19 tournament.
Human Rights Watch said ICE arrested at least 167,000 people from Jan. 20, 2025, to March 10, 2026, across the municipal areas of the 11 U.S. host cities, while documenting racial profiling and excessive force in places including Los Angeles.
European supporters are also pulling back: England's Three Lions Pride said it will not maintain a visible presence at U.S. matches because of what it called a dangerous rollback of human rights.
FIFA, which gave Trump a "FIFA Peace Prize" in December 2025, did not answer Human Rights Watch's request to explain how it will protect fans; the group urged an "ICE truce" at stadiums, fan zones and other World Cup venues.
After honoring President Trump, can FIFA truly protect diverse fans from his immigration policies?
As the World Cup begins, will the beautiful game be overshadowed by immigration raids?
2026 World Cup in the U.S.: Mass ICE Arrests, Travel Advisories, and a Human Rights Emergency
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest ever, is overshadowed by serious human rights concerns in U.S. host cities. Over 120 civil society organizations, including the ACLU and Amnesty International, have issued a travel advisory warning that attendees could face rights violations such as arbitrary denial of entry, arrest, detention, deportation, invasive searches, racial profiling, and suppression of speech. These risks are linked to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement and broader authoritarian policies, especially in cities already affected by these tactics. Vulnerable groups, including immigrants and minorities, are at heightened risk.