The 2026 World Cup faces mounting scrutiny over human rights concerns in its three host nations. Amnesty International's new report warns the tournament risks becoming a platform for authoritarian practices, citing troubling attacks on human rights across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The organization highlights significant risks to fans, players, journalists, workers, and local communities.

In the United States, Amnesty identifies the starkest threat as the country's abusive immigration enforcement system. With 78 matches across 11 cities, the US has deported over 500,000 people in 2025 alone - more than six times the World Cup final attendance. ICE agents have killed American citizens during immigration crackdowns, while federal agents have been deployed to major cities amid protests and legal challenges. The report criticizes the lack of guarantees against ethnic profiling and unlawful detention.

Mexico faces security challenges from drug cartel violence, prompting plans to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel. Canada's growing housing crisis raises concerns about displacing people experiencing homelessness. Despite FIFA's promises of a safe, welcoming tournament, Amnesty argues this World Cup has escalated from medium risk to requiring urgent action to match its original promise of inclusivity.