The 2026 World Cup is around the corner, but where is FIFA’s child safeguarding policy?

FIFA faces mounting pressure to establish enforceable child safeguarding protocols ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Current commitments from the organization lack concrete enforcement mechanisms and fail to address risks specific to mega-sporting events.

Existing FIFA policy documents remain vague and generic, according to analysis by child protection experts. The policies do not account for heightened vulnerabilities that emerge during large-scale events, including increased trafficking risks, inadequate oversight of youth participants, and gaps in background-checking procedures for staff and volunteers.

The 2026 World Cup will draw millions of spectators and involve thousands of workers across three nations with different legal frameworks and regulatory standards. This complexity demands tailored safeguarding measures that FIFA has not yet delivered.

Child protection advocates argue that FIFA's current approach relies on commitments without teeth. Policy statements exist but lack specific reporting requirements, investigation protocols, or consequences for violations. Host countries operate under different child labor and protection laws, creating potential loopholes that bad actors could exploit.

Previous World Cups have exposed safeguarding gaps. Researchers documented insufficient vetting of personnel, inadequate training for officials, and weak mechanisms for reporting abuse or exploitation. The 2026 event will be larger and more geographically dispersed than past tournaments, amplifying these risks.

The 2026 World Cup presents an opportunity for FIFA to establish the first comprehensive, enforceable child safeguarding framework for a mega-event. This would require specific protocols for background checks across all three host countries, mandatory training for all event personnel, clear reporting channels with independent oversight, and real penalties for non-compliance.

Host nations and FIFA have not publicly committed to these standards. Child protection organizations are calling for binding agreements before preparations advance further. Without enforceable policies now, vulnerabilities will persist through the tournament.