The World Cup is meant to unite the world. It is supposed to be a place where fans and teams from every country feel welcome, safe, and respected. Right now, that promise is at risk if the tournament is hosted in the United States.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has publicly supported calls to question a U.S.-hosted World Cup, backing warnings from international experts who say fans should reconsider traveling to the country. These concerns are not exaggerated. They reflect real fear felt by supporters, players, and families around the world.

Under current U.S. policies, fans from countries that have qualified for the World Cup—including Iran, Haiti, Senegal, and Ivory Coast—face serious barriers to entry because of travel bans and visa restrictions. Millions of supporters are effectively excluded from attending matches, not because of safety risks, but because of where they come from.

Beyond travel bans, aggressive immigration enforcement and reports of detentions, deportations, and crackdowns on protestors in American cities have raised alarms across the global soccer community. Fans should not have to worry that attending a match could lead to questioning, detention, or being forced onto a plane home. Teams should not have to worry about whether their supporters will even be allowed into the country.

A World Cup cannot succeed if large parts of the world feel unsafe, unwelcome, or targeted.

This petition is not against the players, the sport, or the fans in the United States. It is a call for FIFA to protect the integrity and spirit of the World Cup. Hosting the tournament in a country where safety, freedom of movement, and equal access are not guaranteed undermines everything the World Cup stands for.

We are calling on FIFA and its leadership to take these warnings seriously and act responsibly.

Tell FIFA: do not host the World Cup in the United States. Until all fans and teams can travel freely, safely, and without fear, the tournament must be held elsewhere.

The World Cup belongs to the world—not to exclusion, fear, or discrimination.

Sign this petition to demand a World Cup that is truly global, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

Photo: Alika Jenner/FIFA via Getty Images