Link: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/27/world-cup-bonanza-of-sportswashing-donald-trump-ice-human-rights

Fans have been warned of uncertainty around the US authorities’ approach to protests and policing, while Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, is set to raise concerns over ‘ICE actions’ with Fifa

Isn't sportswashing supposed to improve perceptions of the host country on the world stage?

“This was supposed to be the first ever World Cup with a human rights framework: key protections for workers, fans, players and communities,” Worden said. “Instead, the US administration’s brutal immigration crackdown, discriminatory policies and threats to press freedom mean the tournament risks being defined by exclusion and fear. I think we are here to say that the problem of sportswashing is alive and well and this World Cup will be a bonanza for sportswashing.”

I am thinking they mean sportswashing for the US because of its continuing violation of human rights. It wasn't supposed to be that way.