Amnesty International, alongside dozens of American civil and human rights organisations, has released a formal "World Cup travel advisory" cautioning prospective tournament visitors about what it describes as "rising authoritarianism and increasing violence" in the United States under President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration enforcement campaign.

The coalition said the advisory was made necessary "in light of the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and in the absence of meaningful action and concrete guarantees from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government."

What the advisory warns

The document alerts visitors that they may face arbitrary denial of entry, detention under "inhumane" conditions, and invasive searches of their phones and social media accounts. It also references aggressive immigration operations in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis — operations that drew accusations of racial profiling and the violent suppression of protests.

For African football fans considering the trip to support their nations — including Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, and others who may qualify — the advisory raises pointed questions about whether the World Cup's promise of global unity can be upheld on American soil.

Tourism industry pushes back

The advisory met swift condemnation from the travel sector. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, acknowledged that legitimate concerns about US entry policies exist but argued they were being distorted for political ends.

"The notion that visiting America poses a meaningful safety risk is not a good-faith warning, it's a political tactic designed to cause economic harm," Freeman said.

Freeman noted that 67 million international travellers visited the United States last year, framing the warning as disproportionate to the actual risk.

FIFA's response

A FIFA spokesperson pointed to the federation's governing documents in response to the controversy, citing language that states: "FIFA is committed to respecting all internationally recognized human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights." The federation offered no direct response to the coalition's specific concerns.

A tournament under a cloud of uncertainty

International tourism to the United States has declined since Trump returned to the presidency, a period in which he also strained relations with key US allies through rhetoric about absorbing Canada, seizing Greenland, and questioning NATO's value. A travel ban affecting citizens of 19 countries has added further uncertainty ahead of the tournament.

The tourism industry had banked on a significant economic boost from World Cup visitors, but reports suggest hotel occupancy rates have yet to reflect anticipated surges during the months the competition will be staged. Sky-high ticket prices have compounded those concerns.

The Trump administration, for its part, is betting that expedited visa processing and the global excitement surrounding the tournament will outweigh the reputational damage caused by its immigration policies.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, with matches spread across 16 stadiums in North America — 11 in the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico.