by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) — PRESSURE is mounting on FIFA to reconsider hosting matches of the 2026 World Cup in the United States as global concerns rise over U.S. domestic policing, immigration enforcement violence, and aggressive foreign policy that many say undermine safety and human rights.
Critics argue that recent events — particularly a fatal shooting by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis — have created an unsafe climate for fans, foreign visitors, and athletes.
On January 7, 2026, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, Renée Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an ICE agent during a large federal immigration operation.
The killing sparked immediate nationwide protests, with tens of thousands of demonstrators marching through Minneapolis and other cities to condemn what they describe as “unchecked violence” by federal agents.
Protesters chanted slogans such as “Abolish ICE” and “No justice, no peace — get ICE off our streets.”
Indivisible and other civil liberties groups called more than 1,000 rallies and demonstrations across the U.S., pushing back against what they see as a militarised immigration enforcement surge.
The group described the demonstrations as community-led actions to demand justice and accountability for Good’s death and to end large-scale deployments of federal agents.
Protesters, including community activists and migrant rights organisations, highlighted reports that ICE operations have grown increasingly intrusive, resulting in violent confrontations and heavy enforcement that deters not only undocumented migrants but entire communities from public life and travel.
“ICE is creating an environment where nobody feels safe,” said Meghan Moore, a mother of two at a Minneapolis protest.
These domestic safety concerns are now spilling into global sporting discussions.
Mohamad Safa, a Lebanese diplomat and executive director of the nongovernmental organisation Patriotic Vision, went further — cancelling his 2026 World Cup tickets in protest.
Safa wrote on social media that “the ICE may decide that I am a gang member, and I’ll be locked in prison for a year with no charges, no hearing, no trial, no right to consult a lawyer, no phone call… The U.S. is not safe to visit.”
Fans from outside the United States have similarly voiced alarm.
In online forums, supporters expressed fear that heightened federal enforcement actions could affect anyone, including football fans travelling to matches.
A Canadian fan noted withdrawing his ticket entry application due to safety worries linked to immigration enforcement and street stops.
The fear of violence by law enforcement agents also ties into broader criticisms of U.S. domestic policy.
Legal action has been taken at the state level: Minnesota and the Twin Cities filed a lawsuit against the federal government to halt the current immigration enforcement surge, claiming it disproportionately targets certain communities and violates constitutional protections.
These concerns dovetail with international unease over U.S. foreign policy.
In recent months, conflicts abroad have highlighted allegations of heavy-handed intervention by the United States in sovereign nations.
In Iran, ongoing protests have resulted in hundreds of deaths, and rights groups reported over 10,600 arrests — with the Iranian government blaming external meddling.
The United States has signaled readiness to respond to developments in Iran, including threats of military options if American interests are challenged.
Human rights organisations warn that a pattern of militarised intervention — whether domestic or international — erodes confidence in U.S. commitment to peaceful engagement.
Critics say that hosting a global sporting event amid such instability raises legitimate safety and ethical questions.
Football supporters and civil society groups argue that FIFA’s prestige and responsibility to protect global fans should prompt it to reconsider the allocation of matches in the U.S.
Some suggest relocating them solely to Canada and Mexico, which are perceived as having more stable civil environments and less contentious enforcement climates.
Supporters of this view say that while the U.S. remains a co-host, safety fears — particularly among vulnerable populations and foreign visitors — could depress attendance and tarnish the World Cup’s reputation.
“The United States has become a no-go area for foreign visitors… Police and federal agents act with reckless force,” one fan posted online, echoing widespread sentiments that safety concerns extend beyond Minneapolis to broader apprehension about enforcement practices.
As calls for accountability grow, the debate over whether the U.S. can credibly host major World Cup matches has expanded from sport into national discourse on civil rights, immigration policy, and global perceptions of safety.
FIFA faces mounting pressure to weigh not only infrastructure and capacity but also the reputational and ethical implications of awarding matches to a country at the centre of such controversy.
– CAJ News