International travelers heading to the US for the FIFA World Cup are being cautioned about potential ‘serious harm’ they could face, with civil society groups pointing to policies introduced under the Trump administration.
With the tournament due to begin in roughly six weeks, a coalition of more than 120 civil organizations has released a travel advisory aimed at the estimated 10 million fans expected to travel to the United States.
Matches will be staged across 11 host cities nationwide, but the groups say visitors should be prepared for an environment that has shifted since President Trump returned to office, warning that some travelers could face heightened risks if they encounter law enforcement or immigration authorities.
Organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and Reporters Without Borders are among those urging caution, arguing that certain communities may be especially vulnerable while traveling to and within the country.
The advisory states:
“While the Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all, those from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals have been and continue to be disproportionately targeted and affected by the administration’s policies and, as such, are most vulnerable to serious harm when traveling to and/or within the United States.”
The groups behind the notice have repeatedly opposed several of the administration’s headline measures, including stepped-up immigration enforcement efforts that have sent masked and armed officers into communities across the country.
They also point to high-profile incidents that have circulated internationally, including scenes in Minneapolis in which nurse Alex Pretti and mom Renée Good were shot dead by masked agents—images that have contributed to unease among some prospective visitors.
However, the warning has drawn sharp criticism from others, particularly figures aligned with the Trump administration, who argue the advisory is designed to damage the US during a major international event.
US Travel Association President Geoff Freeman criticized the advisory, telling Newsweek: “Let’s say the quiet part out loud: the campaign by civil society organizations to discourage World Cup travel isn’t about protecting visitors.
“It’s about using the livelihoods of American workers and businesses as leverage to influence policies they oppose. That’s not advocacy. That’s sabotage.
“Are there legitimate concerns about U.S. entry policies right now? Yes—and we’ve said so publicly. Has the Trump administration made progress in numerous areas? Unequivocally.”
The advisory adds that ‘individuals may encounter or be subjected to the following risks and harms in
breach of the United States’ human rights obligations under domestic and international
law’.