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SportsHuman Rights Watch asks FIFA for minute of silence before World Cup final for ICE victims
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Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on FIFA to observe a minute of silence before the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, to honor two people killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents this month. HRW's director of global initiatives, Minky Worden, stated that the gesture would be appropriate given FIFA's promises to respect human rights during the tournament. The request comes amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, with his expected presence at the final potentially complicating the appeal. Amnesty International also criticized FIFA for failing to uphold human rights commitments, citing the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the U.S. to officiate during the World Cup. The 2026 World Cup is the first to include human rights criteria in its bidding process, following criticism of previous tournaments in Russia and Qatar.
Source report
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on FIFA to observe a minute of silence before Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. at MetLife Stadium.
The NGO seeks to honor two individuals killed this month by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Minky Worden, HRW's director of global initiatives, explained to AFP: "It would be entirely appropriate for FIFA to observe a minute of silence before the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium."
However, the presence of Donald Trump in the stands may work against the NGO's request.
Background on the Incidents
- A Colombian national was killed on Monday in Maine
- A Mexican national was killed last week in Houston, Texas
Both deaths occurred during traffic stops conducted as part of President Donald Trump's policy to combat illegal immigration.
FIFA's Human Rights Commitments
Worden emphasized that a minute of silence represents for FIFA "an opportunity to fulfill the promises it made that this World Cup would respect human rights." According to her, "the world will remember the people killed by ICE and the deportations carried out by ICE while the tournament was ongoing."
The 2026 edition is the first World Cup whose bidding process included human rights criteria, following widespread criticism of the tournaments held in Russia and Qatar.
Amnesty International's Criticism
Daniel Norona, director of campaigns for the Americas at Amnesty International, stated that FIFA had not kept its promise to organize a World Cup that respects human rights.
The case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was turned away at the border while he was scheduled to officiate during the World Cup, symbolizes the immigration crackdown policy carried out by the Trump administration, even during the competition.
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Human Rights Watch asks FIFA for minute of silence before World Cup final for ICE victims