Ahead of this year’s World Cup, Amnesty International has issued a stark warning to millions of fans, players and locals attending the tournament. The organisation reports that fans in the United States face 'human rights emergencies' due to racial profiling and mass detentions by agencies such as ICE and CBP.

In Mexico, federal authorities have announced the deployment of 100,000 security agents, including military members, amidst high levels of violence. This has increased risks for those planning peaceful protests, particularly mothers demanding transparency and justice regarding disappearances.

Meanwhile, in Canada, concerns abound that unhoused populations may be displaced by World Cup activities due to the country's ongoing housing crisis. Only four out of 16 host cities have published plans to protect human rights during the event, raising further alarms over potential abuses.

The joy of football celebrations is overshadowed by the looming threat of violent arrests and mass detentions in the United States. In Mexico, the presence of military forces may suppress peaceful demonstrations. And Canada’s unhoused populations could face eviction as the tournament kicks off.