FIFA is set to increase the visibility of its anti-racism messaging at the 2026 World Cup in North America, following criticism over reduced prominence during last year's Club World Cup. The plans include featuring the 'No Racism' campaign in stadiums alongside other initiatives. This comes amid recent allegations of racial abuse involving Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
FIFA is formulating plans to restore the visibility of its anti-racism campaign during the 2026 World Cup in North America, after significantly reducing its prominence at the Club World Cup in the United States last summer. According to sources familiar with the planning, FIFA intends to feature its “No Racism” campaign within stadiums, while also promoting “Unite for Peace” and “Unite the World” messaging. The organization plans partnerships with the World Health Organisation on concussion awareness and the Get Active campaign, though these details remain in development and subject to change.
During the Club World Cup in June 2025, FIFA dropped videos, signage, and marketing for its “no racism” and “no discrimination” campaigns, opting instead for the broader “Football Unites the World” slogan. The anti-racism messaging was briefly restored for one day to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. People within FIFA have indicated that senior leadership recognizes this as a misjudgment, though a spokesperson described claims of a mistake as “inaccurate and misleading.”
The spokesperson confirmed that the No Racism campaign will run throughout the 2026 World Cup, including the Social Media Protection Service for teams, players, and officials, the No Racism Gesture, and the Anti-Discrimination Three-Step Procedure. Campaigns are being finalized to promote social cohesion, peace, education, and health.
FIFA has removed its Unite for Inclusion campaign—associated with LGBTQ+ support—from its website, without commenting on its inclusion in the World Cup. Previous tournaments, like the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 Women's World Cup, featured regular anti-racism displays.
The need for such measures was highlighted by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, who alleged racial abuse by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League play-off on February 17, 2026, in Lisbon. Prestianni denies the allegation. The match paused for 10 minutes after Vinicius reported the incident to referee Francois Letexier; Real Madrid won 1-0, with Vinicius scoring. In the return leg, Vinicius scored in a 2-1 win, advancing Real 3-1 on aggregate. UEFA provisionally banned Prestianni, a decision upheld after Benfica's appeal.
Post-match, Vinicius wrote on Instagram: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.” Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany criticized Benfica coach Jose Mourinho for accusing Vinicius of inciting the incident.
Human Rights Watch urged FIFA to reinstate campaigns, citing United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Andrea Florence of the Sport and Rights Alliance said: “Vinicius’ case and continued reports of homophobic chants remind us of the hate faced by many in football simply because of who they are. We are concerned hate speech is likely to occur during the 2026 World Cup.”
Separately, FIFA is exploring a “Vinicius Law” to sanction players covering their mouths when addressing opponents, raised at an IFAB technical meeting ahead of its annual general meeting. British associations are receptive, but discussions are early.
