FIFA Sponsors Urged to Demand ‘ICE Truce’ for World Cup

(New York) – Human Rights Watch and the Sport & Rights Alliance are calling on FIFA’s corporate sponsors to publicly demand an “ICE Truce.” This would be a commitment from US federal officials to stop immigration enforcement at all World Cup events and venues. The 2026 World Cup starts June 11 in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It comes during a harsh immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration. In May and June, human rights groups, fan organizations, and unions wrote to 19 companies. They asked the companies to urge FIFA and the US government to support the truce as a first step toward ending abusive detention and deportation practices. “FIFA’s corporate sponsors pay billions to be linked to ‘the beautiful game,’ not to the US government’s cruel immigration crackdown,” said Minky Worden, director of global initiatives at Human Rights Watch. “Sponsors should call for an ICE Truce to ensure the tournament is not tarnished.” Six companies replied: Adidas, Coca-Cola, Lenovo, McDonald’s, Unilever, and Visa. They described regular talks with FIFA on human rights but gave no direct comment on supporting the truce. The other sponsors—including AB InBev, Aramco, Bank of America, and Hyundai—did not reply. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations have targeted communities across the US, which will host most World Cup games. Officers have arbitrarily detained people, often targeting people of color. Federal agents have unlawfully killed two US citizens, and 19 people have died in immigration detention in 2026. All six companies that responded said they had engaged with FIFA on human rights. Coca-Cola stated they “engage with FIFA through sponsor working calls” on human rights assessments. McDonald’s said they “share the expectation that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a safe, inclusive experience for all.” FIFA has done little to address risks from the US immigration policies. In December 2025, the organization awarded Trump the “FIFA Peace Prize,” citing his “unwavering commitment to advancing peace.” None of the US host cities’ action plans explicitly address risks from abusive immigration operations. Some sponsors said they have limited control. Lenovo stated its role is “that of a technology partner,” and that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of FIFA and host authorities. Adidas said it is “neither involved in the selection of host countries, nor in determining host country arrangements.” “World Cup sponsors have got their tactics wrong if they think FIFA alone will advocate for rights-respecting immigration policies,” said Andrea Florence, executive director of the Sport & Rights Alliance. “Companies have a real opportunity to press FIFA for an ICE Truce and protect fans and workers.”