Why England’s Official LGBT+ Football Fan Group is Boycotting the 2026 World Cup

Three Lions Pride, the official LGBT+ supporters’ group for the England national football teams, has announced that it will boycott the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, citing serious concerns about the safety and human rights of queer fans in the United States.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the US, Canada and Mexico, with the majority of matches hosted in 11 cities across the United States.

In a strongly worded statement shared on social media, Three Lions Pride said the 2026 World Cup had once been seen as a chance for LGBT+ fans to enjoy a major football tournament without fear.

However, it added that this confidence has now disappeared. “That hope, that optimism, is well and truly shattered.”

Safety of Queer Fans a Primary Concern

The group said it could not ignore the deteriorating state of LGBT+ rights in the US, particularly under the current Trump administration, where transgender people in particular have faced an increasing rollback of legal protections and heightened hostility.

“As ever, our primary concern is about the safety of our members and queer fans worldwide,” the statement said.

Three Lions Pride warned that different parts of the queer community face distinct and serious risks. “There is a fear that our trans+ family would be at high risk of violence and discrimination, our butch lesbian family would be caught in the crosshairs of anti-trans legislation around bathrooms and our queer family generally would be a target for abuse.”

“This is unsafe and unacceptable,” the group added.

Wider Human Rights and Policing Concerns

Beyond LGBT+ rights, the organisation raised an alarm about broader human rights issues that could affect fans attending the tournament.

It pointed to US travel bans on certain nationalities, visa rejections linked to social media activity, and the risks faced by fans of colour amid aggressive immigration enforcement.

“When ICE agents in the US shoot and kill their own citizens, as happened in Minneapolis this month when they killed Renee Good in front of her wife, every fan is at risk of overzealous policing and law enforcement,” the statement said.

No Visible Presence, But Support Continues

As a result, Three Lions Pride confirmed it will not attend the tournament as a visible group. The group confirmed it would, however, continue to provide remote advice and support, including key contacts in case of emergencies.

“This is a tournament that had so much promise,” Three Lions Pride said, adding that “Today, and every day, [FIFA President] Gianni Infantino should feel ashamed.”