FIFA's 2026 World Cup: Ensuring Human Rights and Dignity through Inclusive Governance and Structural Reform
Original framing: “Global: Gianni Infantino must use FIFA congress speech to commit to a World Cup free from deportations, detentions and repression” — Amnesty International
Research has shown that major sporting events can have a significant impact on human rights, including the exploitation of migrant workers and the suppression of dissenting voices. FIFA's commitment to human rights and dignity must be grounded in scientific evidence and methodology, including impact assessments and human rights audits.
FIFA's commitment to human rights and dignity in the context of the 2026 World Cup must extend to the recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights, the use of inclusive governance and participatory decision-making processes, and the prioritization of cultural sensitivity and respect for marginalized voices and perspectives.
The narrative of human rights and dignity in the context of the World Cup is often framed as a binary opposition between good and evil, but a more nuanced understanding of power dynamics and structural issues is necessary to fully address the complex issues surrounding human rights and the World Cup. The use of scenario planning and future-proofing can help FIFA anticipate and mitigate potential human rights risks, while the use of human rights impact assessments and audits can help identify and address potential human rights concerns. Ultimately, FIFA's commitment to human rights and dignity must be grounded in a deep understanding of the complex power dynamics and structural issues that contribute to human rights violations in the context of the World Cup.