Dear FIFA: Protect Children On and Off the Field
With just one year remaining until the kickoff of the most-watched sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup 2026, child athletes from the Equality League Youth Council are sounding the alarm: FIFA has failed to implement a child safeguarding policy—putting children at risk across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Risks children can face at and around mega-sporting events include abuse, sexual exploitation, trafficking and child labor.
When FIFA awarded hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup in 2018, child safeguarding was named a top priority. Yet with just 12 months to go, there is still no public policy, no visible progress, and no transparent plan to protect children who will attend, participate, or volunteer at the event.
Read our news release here.
Equality League Youth Council
June 6, 2025
FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
Via email to Matthew Mullen, Head of Human Rights - FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA Must Act: Implement a Child Safeguarding Policy for the World Cup 2026
Dear President Infantino,
We are the Equality League Youth Council—student-athletes, youth advocates, and enthusiastic fans. We represent a wide range of sports, including soccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf, gymnastics, track, lacrosse, and more. Whether on the pitch, the track, or the court, we know the power of sport to unite, shape character, and spark dreams. But we also know the dangers that exist when our safety is not taken seriously.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the most watched and most attended sports event in history. That is why we are calling on FIFA to immediately develop and implement a comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
When FIFA awarded the World Cup to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 2018, child safeguarding was a top priority. But with one year remaining, we are worried that the promise remains unfulfilled. There is no public policy. No progress report. No clear standards. Inaction is unacceptable—and it puts us children at risk.
We know from personal experience how quickly sports environments can become unsafe. We've witnessed or endured situations where adults made children and youth feel threatened, dismissed, or unsafe. With events in three countries and 16 cities, it is easy to see how the World Cup can be a source of harm instead of fun.
We believe children have a right to be heard in decisions and events affecting us, and we call on FIFA to adopt and enforce a child safeguarding policy that includes:
Clear rules and protocols to prevent abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other human rights harms.
Mandatory training in child safeguarding for all FIFA World Cup 2026 staff, volunteers, and workers involved in the preparation and delivery of the tournament.
Best practices, including UNICEF Guidance on Meaningful Child Participation.
Safe, visible and accessible reporting systems for children and youth.
Monitoring, investigations, consequences, and reparations for any violations.
As the global leader in football, FIFA has the authority—and the responsibility—to set a precedent—not just for host cities but for the entire sports world.
As children and young people who love sports and believe in its future, we urge you to choose leadership, choose courage, and choose to protect children.
The time for promises has passed. The time for action is now.
Sincerely,
The Equality League Youth Council
Julia, 14
Kervens, 14
Tom, 14
Zohara, 14
Ariana, 15
Liam, 15
Noemi, 15
Jelani, 17
Sai, 17
Supported by our first Youth Council cohort:
Kayvan, 18
James, 19
Millicent, 19
Cece, 21
Jack, 21
Leela, 21
This letter is being distributed by Equality League, a global advocacy organization advancing gender equality in and through sports by changing discriminatory and abusive policies, practices, and laws. We advance gender equality by dismantling barriers to safety, equality, and access so that women and girls stay in sports to reap lifelong health, academic, financial, and leadership benefits.