Civil Rights Groups Issue Travel Alert for Florida Ahead of FIFA World Cup
Civil rights groups have issued a travel alert for Florida, warning international tourists of potential dangers to their rights, liberty, and physical security due to immigration enforcement tactics. The advisory comes as the state prepares to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beginning in June.
The travel alert, issued on February 4, 2026, was released by a coalition of groups including the ACLU of Florida, Florida Immigrant Coalition, American Friends Service Committee, Family Action Network Movement and Semillas de Colombia. They “strongly advised to reconsider travel to the state,” citing multiple cases of tourists and U.S. Citizens being detained for immigration enforcement purposes.
“Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists,” said Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “When federal and local agents can detain anyone at any time without cause and without identifying themselves, everyone is at risk. International visitors must ask themselves if a soccer match is worth the risk of being kidnapped and jailed until God knows when, in deplorable conditions, by a secret police who is using racial profiling, judging people for how they look or their accent, and getting away with literal murder in the streets of our country.”
Petit continued, “Such is the state of affairs in the United States and in Florida. We urge the international community to be aware of the risks before setting foot in Florida.”
The groups are particularly concerned for international fans traveling to Florida for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They warn that enforcement tactics threaten to place international fans and delegations at risk—especially people of color, visitors from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and dual-nationals who could be targeted or questioned without cause.
Civil leaders gathered outside FIFA headquarters on February 5, 2026, warning international travelers that “Florida is no longer safe” and calling on the sports organization to take action against recent immigration tactics prior to the World Cup.
Speakers at a press conference stopped short of calling for a boycott of the World Cup, but instead encouraged FIFA to take action before the June matches begin.
Some connected with the World Cup have voiced stronger opinions. Mark Pieth, a Swiss attorney who chaired an oversight committee on FIFA reform, urged fans to skip the World Cup altogether. “There’s only one piece of advice for fans,” he told the Swiss newspaper Der Bund. “Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky.”
Sepp Blatter, the ex-FIFA president, wrote on social media, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
The advisory urges travelers to exercise extreme caution, carry identification at all times, and register their travel with their consulate before arrival.
Seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are scheduled to be played in South Florida.
