The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off on 11 June and runs until 19 July, with matches being played across Canada, the United States and Mexico. In light of previous World Cups and incidents documented in host countries, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) warns about threats to press freedom, visa restrictions on journalists and sexism and discrimination affecting media professionals covering the tournament.
Access restrictions:
There have been access restrictions for foreign journalists in the US in the run-up to the tournament. According to the International Sports Press Association, foreign journalists, particularly those from African countries or Iran, are either being refused entry visas or granted single-entry visas. This is a significant obstacle to the movement of journalists, especially for an event taking place across three countries. These discriminatory access restrictions curtail independent coverage, limit media plurality and undermine the right to information. Amid the crackdown on border policies, the IFJ and 118 other organisations already called on the US government to withdraw its visa restrictions for foreign journalists in September 2025.
The IFJ recalls that journalists in the US covering events of general interest have been detained and deported on various charges. In June 2025, Mario Guevara, a Hispanic journalist who had lived in the US for over 20 years, was arrested while reporting on the ‘No Kings’ protests in Atlanta and deported in October. In another case, British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in October 2025 after taking part in a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) event and was deported in November 2025.
Safety concerns:
Other risks that journalists face include physical targeting, harassment and threats. In the US, several journalists covering protests against the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies were subjected to physical violence in 2025. In June 2025, the IFJ Executive Committee adopted a motion condemning the targeting of journalists in protests in Los Angeles. In January 2026, journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested for covering an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota.
Since 2025, several journalists in Mexico have been threatened because they were investigating corruption and organised crime, including Alberto Amaro, Paco Cedeño, Anahí Torres, Omar Niño, Carlos Domínguez and Shalma Castillo. Journalist Roxana Guzmán Ramírez was kidnapped and several others were attacked. In 2025, the IFJ documented the fact that three journalists had been killed in the country in connection with their work: Miguel Ángel Beltrán, Kristian Zavala and Caletano de Jesús Guerrero. All of them had reported on domestic issues and had received previous threats. The IFJ-affiliate in Mexico, Sindicato Nacional de Redactores de la Prensa, issued a series of recommendations for journalists to cover the tournament safely.
In Canada in March 2026, journalist Rachel Gilmore was intimidated by white nationalists after publishing her investigative report on the group. Meanwhile, journalist Carrie Tait was harassed on social media while conducting an investigation in August 2025.
Sexism and discrimination:
The IFJ is also concerned that FIFA has not made a sufficient commitment towards gender equality during the tournament. Gender-based harassment and violence are particular concerns. In previous World Cups, the IFJ has emphasised the importance of respecting the human rights of media professionals, including those from abroad and those working locally. The IFJ reiterates that all journalists and media workers should be treated with respect, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, geographical origin, social background, ethnicity or race.
The Federation encourages media organisations to promote a zero tolerance policy towards any form of violence, harassment and discrimination during the World Cup and encourages media professionals to promote fair and unbiased reporting.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Host countries must ensure equal access for journalists, guarantee their safety, support independent reporting, address any form of gender-based harassment and lift visa restrictions, which impede a number of professional media workers from entering the country and reporting on the World Cup. Violations of press freedom and the lack of sufficient measures to combat them are unacceptable. The IFJ will closely monitor any violations of the rights of journalists and media workers who are reporting on the World Cup.”
About IFJ:
The International Federation of Journalists is the global voice of journalists.
Founded in 1926, it is the world’s largest organisation of journalists, representing 600,000 media professionals in 187 unions and associations in more than 148 countries.
(An IFJ release)
Pic courtesy: IFJ
