The U.S. Travel Association has strongly criticized a travel advisory issued by Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union warning fans, players and journalists about potential risks when traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The advisory cites concerns including arbitrary denial of entry, racial profiling and possible mistreatment by immigration authorities. In response, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman dismissed the warning as “sabotage,” arguing that it misrepresents the experience of most international visitors to the country.

“The notion that visiting America poses a meaningful safety risk is not a good-faith warning—it’s a political tactic designed to cause economic harm,” Freeman said.

The advisory, backed by more than 120 civil society organizations, warns of what it describes as “rising authoritarianism and increasing violence” in the United States amid stricter immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump. It highlights risks such as detention under “inhumane” conditions, invasive searches of electronic devices and social media, and the potential for arrest or deportation.

Advocacy groups also pointed to recent immigration enforcement actions in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, where allegations of racial profiling and suppression of protests have been reported.

The advisory further claims that travelers from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals could face heightened risks. It recommends precautionary measures such as securing electronic devices, informing trusted contacts of travel plans, and using safety tools like the ReadyNow! app developed by Human Rights First.

Journalists covering the tournament are also encouraged to consult safety resources from organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders.

Despite acknowledging ongoing debates around U.S. entry policies, Freeman stressed that the advisory distorts the broader reality of international travel to the country. He noted that the United States welcomed approximately 67 million international visitors last year and cited government data showing that device searches affect a very small fraction of travelers.

“We continue to oppose policies that make the U.S. less competitive as a destination,” Freeman said. “But discouraging travel by portraying the country as unsafe is a different matter entirely.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across 11 U.S. host cities, is expected to attract up to 10 million visitors. However, the controversy adds to broader uncertainty about the tournament’s economic impact, with some industry analysts suggesting expectations for a record-breaking tourism surge may be overstated.