LGBTQ+ football fans across Europe are being warned by queer-focused supporter groups to avoid attending the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, amid growing alarm over human rights violations in the United States.
Set to kick off on 11 June and run through to 19 July, the tournament will be co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—11 in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
When the hosting rights were awarded in 2018, many LGBTQ+ fans welcomed the decision. It was seen as a relief after Russia hosted in 2018 and Qatar in 2022—two countries widely criticised for their poor records on LGBTQ+ rights and harsh anti-queer laws. Many queer fans chose not to travel to those events out of fear of discrimination, abuse, or even arrest.
At the time, the US and its co-hosts were viewed as far safer destinations, where LGBTQ+ fans could support their teams openly and without compromising their identities. But that perception has changed significantly.
Since former President Donald Trump returned to office, he has signed a number of executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ rights—particularly affecting transgender people. These actions include formally declaring there are “only two sexes”, banning transgender individuals from military service, limiting access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth under 19, and excluding trans women and girls from female sporting categories.
Additionally, Trump has moved to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across government agencies and within the military.
Reflecting this shift, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index—a respected global ranking of LGBTQ+ rights and safety—dropped the United States from 41st place in 2024 to 48th in 2025.
Concerns extend beyond LGBTQ+ rights. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has come under fire for violently detaining both immigrants and US citizens amid a drive for mass deportations.
Earlier this month, Three Lions Pride—the official LGBTQ+ fan group for England—announced it would boycott the World Cup due to safety fears, stating the situation in the US is “unsafe and unacceptable.”
Following this, as reported by Outsports, other LGBTQ+ football fan groups have publicly supported the decision and echoed the concerns.
Queer Football Fanclubs (QFF), Football Supporters Europe, and the Sport & Rights Alliance all endorsed the boycott. QFF spokesperson Sven Kistner said, “We also have serious concerns regarding the safety not only of LGBTQ individuals travelling to the USA, but of all travellers to the 2026 World Cup.”
He added, “The ever-worsening conditions for minorities in the USA under this administration leave us with practically no other conclusion than to advise our members against travelling.”
Anti-discrimination group Fare described the decision by LGBTQ+ fans to boycott as “sad and regrettable,” noting that “the most high-profile national team LGBTQ supporters group in the world feel the situation is so difficult that they are unable to travel.”
As momentum for the boycott grows, it raises urgent questions about whether global sporting events can truly be inclusive when hosted in countries facing serious human rights concerns.
