Human rights groups warn of ‘sportswashing bonanza’ at upcoming World Cup
As the World Cup approaches in just six weeks, human rights organizations are issuing stark warnings that the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, risks becoming a "bonanza of sportswashing" under the current US administration. Concerns are mounting over fan safety, policing, and immigration enforcement, with calls also made for an investigation into a controversial FIFA peace prize awarded to Donald Trump.
The Sport and Rights Alliance (SRA), alongside other groups like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International, claims the Trump administration is leveraging sport as a political instrument to "cover up abuses." HRW's Minky Worden defined sportswashing as "the practice of using a beloved sporting event to attract fans and positive coverage that might also serve to cover up serious human rights abuses." Worden argued this term, traditionally applied to autocracies, should now be directed at the US administration, suggesting the tournament could be defined by "exclusion and fear" due to immigration crackdowns, discriminatory policies, and threats to press freedom.
Concerns over fan safety and exclusion
The US portion of the World Cup is generating particular apprehension, largely due to the potential for raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operatives. Travel restrictions imposed by the US on several nations, including four World Cup qualifiers, further complicate matters for international fans. The response to any protests, both inside and outside host cities, is also a significant concern. Martin Endemann, head of policy at Football Supporters Europe, expressed a notable lack of engagement from US authorities compared to discussions held with Qatari counterparts four years prior. "People don’t really know what to expect," Endemann stated. "I have no clue what happens after the first protest in the stadium. I have no clue what happens at the first protest outside the stadium... And I have no clue how the police in the US reacts on misdemeanours." Despite the World Cup being envisioned as the first with a comprehensive human rights framework, only four of the 16 host cities have published their mandatory "Host City Human Rights Action Plans," according to HRW. These cities are:- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Houston
- Vancouver
Controversy surrounds FIFA peace prize
Adding to the human rights concerns is the controversy surrounding the inaugural FIFA peace prize. The award was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw in December, reportedly without seeking approval from the FIFA Council. FairSquare, an organization promoting accountability in sport, has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA’s ethics committee. FairSquare contends that the process of awarding the prize to Trump, along with Infantino's comments, violated FIFA’s duty of political neutrality and its own statutes. Lise Klaveness has called for the prize to be abolished, stating, "We don’t think it’s part of Fifa’s mandate to give such a prize, we think we have a Nobel Institute that does that job independently already." The Norwegian Football Federation will support calls for an investigation into its awarding. Sources: www.theguardian.comRead also: FIFA's new red card rule for World Cup 2026
