International human rights organizations have warned that the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could turn into what they described as a "festival of sportswashing," amid accusations that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is using the event for political purposes.

These warnings came in a report issued by the "Sport and Rights" coalition, which includes organizations such as "Human Rights Watch" and "Amnesty International."

According to the report, concerns are growing about the strict immigration policies in the United States and their potential impact on fans and players, in addition to travel restrictions imposed on certain countries, which could create a state of exclusion and inequality during the tournament. The report also noted the absence of clear plans to protect human rights in some host cities.

Supporters' groups have also expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding how U.S. authorities will handle protests or any potential violations during the tournament. A representative from the European Fan Associations Union stated that "there is no clear idea of what might happen at the first protest inside or outside the stadiums."

In a related context, an official from the Norwegian Football Association called for ensuring that the tournament is inclusive and safe for all fans regardless of nationality or background, while demanding clarifications from FIFA on how to prevent immigration authorities' interventions within the stadiums' vicinity, amid growing calls to review the "FIFA Peace Award" previously awarded to Trump.