A coalition of civil and human rights organisations on Friday issued a statewide travel alert for Florida ahead of this year’s World Cup soccer tournament.

They warned international visitors that stepped-up immigration enforcement could increase the risk of racial profiling, wrongful detention and deportation.

The groups said they were urging tourists and visiting fans to “exercise extreme caution,” carry identification at all times and register travel plans with their consulates before arriving.

They also advised travellers to reconsider visiting the state until what they described as a lack of accountability and transparency in enforcement practices is addressed.

“Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists,” Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said in a statement, alleging that visitors and residents could be detained without cause and targeted based on appearance, language or accent.

Florida tourism officials blasted the travel alert.

“These ‘advisories’ are ridiculous and, unfortunately, politically-motivated stunts that needlessly seek to harm our state and industry,” said Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of tourism group Visit Florida.

“Lawful visitors to our state have no reason to be concerned. Florida welcomes hundreds of thousands of travelers daily and is looking forward to being a hub for World Cup celebrations for residents and travelers alike,” he said.

“Visitors can expect an enjoyable, safe, and easy travel experience in Florida.”

The coalition pointed to reports by journalists and civil rights groups describing cases in which U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and tourists were detained after routine encounters with law enforcement, including traffic stops.

The organisations also cited accounts of people being held for extended periods with limited access to lawyers or consular assistance. Reuters could not independently verify the specific incidents described in the advisory.

Florida has expanded cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities to allow trained local officers to perform certain immigration-enforcement functions, the coalition said.

Civil liberties advocates have argued that such arrangements can lead to over-policing of immigrant communities, while supporters say the programs enhance public safety.

The travel alert comes as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors across multiple host cities. Miami will host seven matches.

The U.S. is co-hosting the expanded 48-team global tournament with neighbours Canada and Mexico.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that Walid Regragui has stepped down as head coach of Morocco’s national team, the Atlas Lions.

In a brief statement issued, the federation described the claims as false, responding to widespread media speculation that Regragui had expressed a desire to resign due to exhaustion following the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

 Some reports also linked the Moroccan coach to possible offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Speculation about Regragui’s future was further fuelled by comments he made in earlier press conferences before the AFCON final match, in which he suggested he would consider stepping aside if he failed to win the AFCON with Morocco. He made similar remarks following Morocco’s early exit from the tournament in 2024.

However, the FRMF moved quickly at that time to reaffirm its confidence in the coach, insisting that he remained the right man to lead the Atlas Lions forward.

The federation also revealed that its president, Fouzi Lekjaa, has held several meetings to review Morocco’s AFCON 2024 participation.

According to the FRMF, Lekjaa acknowledged the shortcomings of the campaign but stressed the importance of maintaining stability and continuity within the national team setup.

He underlined the need to preserve the Atlas Lions’ “deserved status” to meet the expectations of Moroccan fans, with a clear focus on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco is set to host.

With the federation’s latest statement, the FRMF has sought to put an end to speculation and reaffirm its backing of Regragui as Morocco looks ahead to its next competitive challenges.

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FIFA has unveiled Canada Celebrates, a nationwide community programme designed to take the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ beyond the stadiums and into cities and towns across the country.

The initiative, which will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026, coincides with the tournament Canada will co-host alongside Mexico and the United States. It is billed as a first-of-its-kind celebration aimed at uniting football fans from coast to coast during what FIFA describes as the biggest World Cup in history.

Delivered through a series of free, one-day events, Canada Celebrates will feature live match viewings, football-themed activities, cultural showcases, music and food, transforming public spaces into vibrant fan zones.

FIFA said the programme is designed so that more than 75 per cent of Canadians will be within a two-hour drive of at least one celebration stop, ensuring wide national participation beyond the host cities of Toronto and Vancouver.

The programme will officially kick off on 11 June with simultaneous events in British Columbia on the west coast and Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast. In total, up to 40 stops are planned across the country, reflecting Canada’s cultural diversity and football-growing communities. Fans at each location will be able to follow the tournament through live match feeds.

FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Vittorio Montagliani said the initiative was created to reflect Canada’s passion for football and its tradition of rallying around major global sporting events.

“Canada Celebrates was created to recognise the passion for football that runs across Canada and to bring the energy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup directly into our communities,” Montagliani said. “Hosting the FIFA World Cup is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and marks the beginning of the next chapter for football in Canada.”

In the build-up to the tournament, Canada Celebrates will also align with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, allowing fans to see the original FIFA World Cup Trophy in seven Canadian cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto. The tour begins on Thursday, 29 January, with further details available via Coca-Cola’s official platforms.

Coca-Cola Canada General Manager Andy Buckingham said the partnership aims to bring the emotional power of the World Cup closer to fans.

“The FIFA World Cup brings fans together through moments of unmatched passion, emotion and connection, and Coca-Cola is proud to help bring that excitement home,” Buckingham said.

FIFA added that the programme will bring together stakeholders from across the Canadian football ecosystem, including professional leagues such as Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the Northern Super League, alongside Canada Soccer and grassroots clubs.

Their presence at each stop is intended to inspire young players and deepen the sport’s footprint nationwide.

More details, including the full list of participating communities, are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, running from 11 June to 19 July, will feature 48 teams, 16 Host Cities across three countries and a record 104 matches, making it the largest edition of the tournament to date.

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