12 May 2026-BERLIN: Human Rights Watch described the World Cups in the United States (US), Mexico and Canada this June and July as “potential human rights disasters,” the German News Agency (dpa) reported.
The organization’s director, Minky Worden, told ntv.de news portal that the tournament was supposed to be guided by a human rights framework.
“But I can say with certainty that even though this World Cup may remain the biggest, it will not be the best in terms of human rights,” he said.
According to Worden, the World Cup was shrouded in unusual uncertainty following the controversy involving the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which may have been responsible for implementing security measures during the event.
“ICE, a paramilitary police force, practices cruel and inhumane policies, including against individuals who have the right to remain in the US,” he said.
However, the exact role that ICE will play is still unclear.
Recently, Miami Deputy Chief of Staff Rodney Barreto insisted that he received assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that no ICE agents would be stationed at the stadium during the World Cup matches.
According to Worden, US President Donald Trump’s “culture war” still affects the organization of the World Cup.
“Take for example the lack of human rights measures in some host cities. The measures should ensure protection for minorities and vulnerable groups,” he said.
He said the awarding of the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump was a “form of corruption”.
“It’s just a fabrication designed to glorify a man who is not fighting for peace, but rather violent oppression of U.S. citizens, bombings outside national borders and conflicts abroad.”
— BERNAMA
