The United States is a highly diverse country shaped by migration, Indigenous histories, multilingual and multifaith communities, and people from every part of the world. Issues including race, immigration, healthcare, gender identity, reproductive rights and policing continue to shape public debate and everyday life.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place against a backdrop of ongoing discussions around immigration, human rights, public safety and access to healthcare. While millions of visitors travel safely to the United States every year, understanding this wider context can help visitors make informed decisions before and during the tournament.

The country also has deep and ongoing inequalities rooted in colonisation, slavery, segregation, migration policy, economic exclusion and political polarisation.

State-Level Legal Differences

State laws may differ in areas including:

• anti-discrimination protections

• gender identity recognition

• reproductive healthcare access

• protest-related offences

• cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE

• local "sanctuary" or non-cooperation policies relating to immigration enforcement

For local information and recommendations, see the individual host city guides.