Trending Now - Rights Groups Urge Caution for World Cup Travelers to US

WHO:

ABC News - Amnesty International and U.S. civil rights groups issued a “World Cup travel advisory.”

ABC News - Geoff Freeman, president & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, commented on the advisory.

ABC News - A FIFA spokesperson referenced the federation's commitment to human rights.

WHAT:

ABC News - The advisory warns visitors about “rising authoritarianism and increasing violence” in the U.S. under President Trump’s immigration policies.

ABC News - The advisory states that visitors may be arbitrarily denied entry, detained in “inhumane” conditions, or subjected to invasive phone and social media searches.

ABC News - There were 67 million international travelers to the United States in 2025.

Newsweek - The Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics are cited as a reason for caution among soccer fans.

WHERE:

ABC News - The advisory specifically mentions cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis.

ABC News - The World Cup will take place across North America, including 11 stadiums in the U.S., two in Canada, and three in Mexico.

WHEN:

ABC News - The World Cup tournament kicks off on June 11th, 2026.

ABC News - The travel advisory was issued on Thursday, April 21st, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - The advisory was deemed necessary due to the “deteriorating human rights situation in the United States” and the lack of action from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government.

ABC News - Tourism officials condemned the advisory, stating it threatens the livelihoods of service industry workers.

HOW:

ABC News - The advisory highlights aggressive immigration enforcement and accusations of racial profiling as methods contributing to the current situation.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 09:27 UTC)

Amnesty International and U.S. civil rights groups have issued a travel advisory for the upcoming World Cup, warning visitors about rising authoritarianism and increasing violence in the U.S. under Trump’s immigration policies. The advisory, released on Tuesday, highlights concerns that travelers could face arbitrary entry denial, detention in inhumane conditions, or invasive searches of their phones and social media. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis are specifically mentioned, as the tournament is set to kick off June 11th, across North America, with 11 stadiums in the U.S. alone.