Human Rights

The FIFA World Cup™ Host Committee (Boston26) affirms its commitment to delivering FIFA World Cup 2026™ experiences in a manner that is safe, welcoming, and aligned with internationally recognized human rights standards, including, but not limited to, FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Sustainability and Human Rights Strategy, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Human Rights Framework, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). This commitment is informed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ and the City of Boston’s long-established history of civil rights leadership, as well as the robust legal protections that have shaped the region’s approach to equity and inclusion.

Boston26’s human rights work focuses on areas where the organization has direct operational influence, strengthening coordination, communication, and alignment across Boston26-controlled events and activities while drawing on the existing protections embedded in federal, state, and local law. Recognizing that legal compliance alone does not fully meet the expectations of the UNGPs, Boston26 seeks, where appropriate, to integrate human rights considerations beyond domestic legal requirements.

To date, Boston26’s Draft Human Rights Action Plan has undergone two rounds of review (September and November 2025) by FIFA World Cup 2026™ Human Rights Advisory, along with ongoing engagement with government, community, and civil society partners. As regional and tournament planning continues to advance, this update provides an interim overview of Boston26’s human rights work. The finalized Human Rights Action Plan will be issued in May 2026.

Roles and Responsibilities

• FIFA, based in Zurich, maintains global oversight of the tournament as the international governing body of football. 
• FIFA World Cup 2026™, based in Miami, coordinates tournament delivery across the three host nations and retains jurisdiction over operations at Boston Stadium.
• Boston26, as a temporary nonprofit local organizing committee, is responsible for the local planning, coordination, and delivery of designated tournament-related activities.

Our Approach

Our human rights work has been shaped by early consultations with government partners, non-governmental organizations, community representatives, and subject matter experts, following the structure set out in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Human Rights Framework. This engagement process is ongoing and will continue through May 2026 as Boston26 collaborates with stakeholders across the region.

Our approach is iterative and grounded in applicable law, ensuring alignment with the Commonwealth’s civil rights and anti-discrimination protections, including, but not limited to, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act (M.G.L. c. 151B) and Public Accommodations laws; federal and state labor requirements, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and Massachusetts wage and hour Laws; accessibility obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations (521 CMR); and the Massachusetts Human Trafficking Statute (M.G.L. c. 265, §§ 50–51). All elements of the draft plan referenced herein remain subject to further planning, operational development, and legal review and do not create binding obligations for Boston26 or its partners.

Inclusion, Non-Discrimination, and Safeguarding

Boston26 is committed to ensuring that individuals participating in or affected by tournament-related activities are treated with dignity and respect. Boston26’s efforts reflect the region’s strong civil rights foundations and long-standing commitment to fairness, access, and non-discrimination. Our approach includes promoting respectful conduct, encouraging appropriate training for staff and volunteers, and supporting awareness-building efforts related to safeguarding, harassment prevention, and the identification of potential vulnerabilities. Boston26 also collaborates with agencies and organizations responsible for child protection and human trafficking prevention to ensure that relevant information, resources, and referral pathways are visible and coordinated. Accessibility remains a priority across Boston26-controlled spaces, including efforts to support accessible wayfinding and guest services practices. These activities are intended to help ensure that Boston26-controlled environments align with established expectations for safe, inclusive, and rights-respecting experiences.

Workers’ Rights

Boston26 is committed to supporting fair, safe, and respectful working conditions for individuals engaged in Boston26-related activities. Our approach is informed by the region’s established labor protections and the expectations outlined in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Human Rights Framework, including responsible sourcing standards reflected in FIFA’s Sustainable Sourcing Code. Within its operational areas, Boston26 works to reinforce expectations for equitable and respectful workplace conduct, encourage appropriate training for staff, contractors, and volunteers, and collaborate with our government partners to promote awareness of worker protections and available support pathways. Boston26 also engages, where appropriate, with labor unions and worker representatives to support coordination and shared understanding of worker-related considerations. Through procurement and vendor engagement, Boston26 encourages alignment with responsible sourcing practices consistent with FIFA’s Sustainable Sourcing Code, including fair recruitment, safe working conditions, and non-discriminatory practices. These efforts emphasize coordination, clarity, and shared understanding across partners while complementing the enforcement roles of federal, state, and municipal labor authorities.

Access to Remedy

Boston26 recognizes that clear avenues for raising concerns are essential to responsible event delivery. Within its operational scope, Boston26 promotes awareness of established reporting pathways and supports efforts that help individuals understand where and how to seek assistance should concerns arise. Boston26 supports the sharing of information about existing support channels, encourages staff and volunteer training on directing individuals to appropriate resources, and reinforces the visibility of mechanisms operated by entities with legal authority, including civil rights and labor agencies and FIFA’s established reporting systems. Through these activities, Boston26 supports clarity, coordination, and awareness across its operations while complementing the work of government and organizational entities responsible for receiving and addressing concerns.

Next Steps and Ongoing Commitment

The development of Boston26’s Human Rights Action Plan is an ongoing, collaborative process guided by internationally recognized human rights standards and informed by two rounds of review of the full draft plan by the FIFA World Cup 2026’s Human Rights Advisory. It has also been shaped by continued engagement with government partners, community organizations, labor representatives, service providers, and subject matter experts. As planning advances across the region and operational details continue to take shape, Boston26 will continue to refine and align its human rights work to ensure consistency with established systems and expectations. The final Human Rights Action Plan will be released prior to the tournament and will reflect the shared commitment of Boston26 and its partners to deliver a safe, inclusive, and rights respecting experience for all who live, work, or visit the region during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Throughout this process, Boston26 remains focused on strengthening coordination, promoting awareness, and supporting practices that reflect Boston’s and Massachusetts’ long-standing dedication to civil rights, equity, and community engagement.