The 2026 World Cup is intended to be a showcase for the United States, but a coalition of left-wing and civil-rights groups has warned foreign fans that traveling here could expose them to arbitrary detention, social media searches, racial profiling, and abuse in custody.

Over 120 fan groups and civil-society organizations issued the advisory ahead of the tournament. It cautioned potential visitors about possible denial of entry, detention, electronic device searches, racial profiling, and suppression of speech.

U.S. Travel Association President Geoff Freeman criticized the campaign as an attempt to discourage international travel for political reasons, arguing it would harm workers and small businesses. The White House World Cup Task Force countered that legal travelers have nothing to worry about and labeled the advisory “scare tactics,” emphasizing efforts to ensure a safe, secure, and unforgettable event.

The advisory specifically urges travelers to exercise caution and prepare emergency plans before arriving in the United States. Tourism officials argue this level of concern crosses into politics during one of the nation’s largest sporting events.

The advisory was backed by Amnesty International USA, the ACLU, and the NAACP. It highlighted risks associated with Trump administration immigration enforcement, including mass detention, restrictive travel policies, electronic searches, speech restrictions, and alleged mistreatment in immigration custody. Vulnerable groups identified include immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, and journalists.

The advisory was issued on April 23 and cited potential issues in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Activists framed it as a response to perceived inadequate protections for visitors by FIFA, host cities, and the U.S. government.

The White House has stated that legal travelers are not at risk of immigration enforcement actions, asserting that those who should worry about immigration policies are individuals without authorization in the country. Conversely, activist groups claim the Trump administration has made America dangerous for vulnerable visitors.