FIFA President Gianni Infantino has received a letter from more than 90 civil society groups, most of them based in the United States, expressing serious concern about the country’s immigration policies and their potential impact on the 2026 World Cup.
The organisations have called on FIFA to use its influence to press the administration of President Donald Trump to uphold the fundamental rights of millions of football fans expected to travel to the US for the tournament next summer.
In the strongly worded letter, the groups pointed to Infantino’s close ties with the US President. They highlighted his high-profile visits to the White House and recent attendance at an investment summit in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he accompanied President Trump, as evidence of his political proximity.
The signatories urged FIFA to publicly call on President Trump to reverse immigration policies and enforcement measures they argue threaten both international visitors and migrant communities already living in the US.
“With the World Cup fast approaching, FIFA must not ignore the serious risks posed by current US immigration practices,” the letter stated. “We ask FIFA to take a clear public stand in support of human rights and the safety of all tournament attendees.”
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, is expected to draw millions of fans from around the world. The civil society groups warned that without guarantees on entry and safety, the US risks undermining the spirit and accessibility of the global event.
FIFA has not yet issued a formal response to the letter.