May 11, 2026, 9:49 a.mMay 11, 2026, 12:39 p.m
Human Rights Watch warns of massive human rights problems at the upcoming World Cup. The treatment of minorities and the use of ICE in particular cause uncertainty.
For Human Rights Watch, the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada is “a potential human rights catastrophe”. This is what Minky Worden says as director of the human rights organization with regard to the United States. The World Cup should represent a break with the recent past and be guided by a human rights framework, emphasized Worden in an interview with “ntv.de”: “But I can definitely say that the World Cup may still be the biggest, but it will not be the best in terms of human rights.”
The World Cup is surrounded by an incredible amount of uncertainty, said Worden. She is referring to the controversial US immigration agency ICE, which could be responsible for enforcing security measures at the World Cup. “ICE, a kind of paramilitary police force, pursues a brutal, inhumane policy, even against people who have the right to remain in the United States,” said Worden.
ICE officers in the stadiums?
What role ICE will play is unclear. Most recently, Rodney Barreto, as deputy head of organization in Miami, emphasized that he had received a commitment from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that there would be no ICE officers in the stadium during World Cup games.
In Worden’s opinion, however, it shows how a culture war waged by US President Donald Trump is also playing out at the World Cup. “For example, the host cities’ lack of human rights measures. They were intended to ensure the protection of minorities and vulnerable populations, including LGBT people. “But of the four action plans published in the US, only Atlanta’s mentions LGBT rights,” said the activist.
Human rights activist: Peace Prize “a form of corruption”
The world association FIFA failed in this regard in advance, denounces Worden and cites the peace prize awarded to Trump at the World Cup draw as an example. “This is a form of corruption. This is a fabrication to flatter a man who stands not for peace but for the violent oppression of Americans, bombing outside the country’s territory and wars abroad.”
FIFA has integrated human rights requirements into the bidding process for competitions and lists human rights as a strategic goal. (sda/dpa)