Concern over U.S. human rights as World Cup nears; New Trump protest set for Amsterdam
Amnesty International is warning that serious human rights violations in the United States could put Dutch fans traveling to next summer’s World Cup at risk, as a new protest against President Donald Trump is scheduled this week in Amsterdam following global “No Kings” demonstrations.
The advocacy group said the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will take place “under a dark backdrop of serious human rights violations” in its report Humanity Must Win. It warned that fans may face discrimination, ethnic profiling, detention, and, in some cases, arbitrary arrest. “There are no guarantees that this will not affect Dutch fans,” Julia van den Muijsenberg, Amnesty International’s spokesperson for sport and human rights in the Netherlands, told AD.
Amnesty pointed to ongoing mass detentions and deportations of migrants in the United States, saying more than 500,000 people were deported in 2025. It also raised concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, saying the agency operates in a way that resembles a “paramilitary unit,” conducting armed operations targeting minorities.
“Despite the astonishing number of arrests and deportations, neither FIFA nor the U.S. authorities have provided any guarantees that fans and local communities will be safe from ethnic profiling, arbitrary raids, or unlawful detention and deportation,” said Steve Cockburn of Amnesty International.
Roughly three-quarters of the tournament will be played in the United States, with early Dutch matches set for Dallas, Houston, and Kansas City. Amnesty also warned that supporters of Curaçao, which will play group-stage matches in Houston, Kansas City, and Philadelphia, could face similar risks due to increased enforcement activity.
The group said LGBTQ+ travelers, particularly transgender fans, may face heightened scrutiny at U.S. borders, including possible denial of entry. “For FIFA, which says it stands for an inclusive and unifying sport, the situation is deeply concerning,” van den Muijsenberg said.
“We are in contact with Amnesty International, and we take their input seriously,” the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) spokesperson said. “We also maintain close contact with embassies, government authorities, and FIFA to ensure a safe and sporting experience for the team and fans.”
The supporters' group Oranje Fans rejected the warnings. “This is nonsense,” said Chairman Theo Pouw. “We are just going to have an extremely good time, as we do at every tournament.” He added: “Every host country has always welcomed us with open arms. We have always had fun and been safe everywhere we went.”
The Amnesty report comes as international “No Kings” protests continue worldwide, with millions participating in demonstrations across the United States and in cities including Amsterdam.
In the Dutch capital, several hundred people gathered at Museumplein near the U.S. consulate in a solidarity protest organized by Indivisible Netherlands. Demonstrators chanted, "No kings, no dictators, no fascists.” A new protest is scheduled for Friday, April 3, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the U.S. consulate on Museumplein under the banner “Trump-free day.”
The White House dismissed the protests as “Trump derangement therapy sessions” and blamed left-wing activist networks. Democratic officials expressed support, while Republican leaders warned of stricter security responses in some states. Despite the scale of demonstrations, authorities reported few incidents and no major arrests.
In the meantime, a petition calling on the Dutch government to boycott the World Cup has gathered nearly 174,000 signatures, arguing participation would indirectly support U.S. policies under President Trump, particularly on immigration and foreign policy.
