FIFA has come under fire from human rights campaigners for not visibly promoting anti-discrimination messages during the current Club World Cup in the United States. The global football body had previously backed strong statements against racism, notably at Qatar 2022, but these appear to have been replaced by a more general campaign at the revamped tournament.
Instead of the familiar “no to racism” slogans and armbands, FIFA has focused on a broader initiative titled “Football Unites the World.” While the governing body insists its commitment to tackling abuse remains unchanged, critics argue that the lack of clear language around race and inclusion sends the wrong message at a time of political tension in the host nation.
Campaigners voice concern over FIFA’s direction
The move has prompted disappointment from several advocacy groups and prominent figures in the football and human rights community. Piara Powar, who leads the Fare network, expressed frustration at the apparent decision to abandon earlier messaging plans. He said previous campaigns had been welcomed by fans, players, and civil society and warned against compromising on values due to political shifts in the United States.
The Athletic reported that material related to an anti-racism campaign had been prepared for use during the tournament but was not ultimately deployed. FIFA has not publicly addressed the report or clarified the reasons behind the change in strategy.
Evan Whitfield, chair of the Human Rights Soccer Alliance, stated that while football naturally represents values of unity and fairness, those principles need to be clearly and consistently communicated. He pointed out that FIFA has shown a willingness to promote such messages in diverse countries and said there was no justification for a weaker stance in the United States, regardless of government policy.
FIFA defends its approach amid mounting pressure
In a statement, a FIFA representative said the organization continues to oppose all forms of discrimination. They noted that the recent update to its disciplinary code includes stricter penalties for racist acts and strengthens the tools available to match officials.
FIFA also highlighted that the established three-step response protocol remains in place at this tournament, giving referees the authority to address inappropriate behavior in stages during games. Social media monitoring tools have also been offered to participants to help guard against online abuse.
However, observers say these efforts lack the visibility of past tournaments. Anti-racism organization Kick It Out added that the platform of the Club World Cup offers a key opportunity to promote equality to a global audience. The group urged FIFA to reconsider and warned that any retreat from clear, public messaging could have wider consequences ahead of the next World Cup.
Meanwhile, in a separate show of solidarity, players from Angel City FC wore shirts with the slogan “Immigrant City Football Club” before a recent match in Los Angeles, in response to ongoing immigration raids in the area.
