Post by FIFA

To mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, FIFA activations took over all four FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States matches in Atlanta, Guadalajara, Los Angeles and Vancouver to send a rallying cry to all to stop hate and protect football. Team captains exchanged commemorative pennants, with the message also being displayed on striking, campaign-themed stadium LEDS. The activation also shines a spotlight on a powerful digital defence system: the FIFA Social Media Protection Service (SMPS). Since its debut ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, this proactive shield has successfully intercepted and eliminated more than 30 million abusive posts and comments in more than 50 languages across all major social media platforms. The latest SMPS analysis taken from the first round of matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 indicates more than five times as many instances of abusive posts and comments will be removed when compared to the 2022 tournament. Since the action kicked off on Thursday, 11 June, the SMPS has already reviewed over 5.5 million comments and posts, swiftly removing 530,000 toxic messages to protect players, coaches, and officials. "Hate speech has no place in football or in society," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "On the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we reaffirm our tireless commitment to eradicating discriminatory abuse in all its forms. When players, coaches and match officials are targeted, it is an attack on football itself.” "We have a duty to protect them, and a duty to protect followers from hateful abuse and from the idea that such behaviour is acceptable. That is why we have strengthened the FIFA Disciplinary Code, launched the No Racism campaign and empowered players, coaches and match officials through the No Racism gesture.”