FIFA says it has removed hundreds of thousands of harmful social media posts since the start of World Cup 2026. The FIFA hate speech campaign aims to protect players, fans and communities while preserving football as a force for unity worldwide.
ATLANTA: FIFA has significantly stepped up efforts to tackle online abuse during World Cup 2026, removing hundreds of thousands of harmful comments and posts from social media platforms as football’s biggest tournament attracts a global audience.
The latest figures reveal the scale of the challenge facing football authorities in the digital age. Since the tournament began on 11th June across the United States, Mexico and Canada, the FIFA hate speech campaign has reviewed around 3.8 million social media posts and comments. Of those, approximately 388,000 were removed for violating standards relating to hate speech and harmful online behaviour.
The numbers highlight a growing concern for sports organisations worldwide as social media becomes an increasingly important part of fan engagement. While online platforms allow supporters to connect with players, teams and fellow fans, they can also become channels for abuse, discrimination and harassment.
According to FIFA, the problem extends far beyond the current tournament. The organisation reported that more than 250 million comments and posts have been reviewed through its moderation and monitoring systems in recent years. More than 30 million of those were identified as harmful.
The latest action represents a significant increase compared with the 2022 World Cup, when FIFA reported removing 287,000 posts and comments during the competition. The rise reflects both increased monitoring efforts and growing awareness of online abuse affecting players, officials and supporters.
To mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, FIFA joined forces with TikTok and the City of Atlanta to host a major forum focused on combating online hatred in sport. The event took place at the National Centre for Civil and Human Rights and brought together football players, policymakers, technology specialists and community leaders.
The discussion explored practical ways to reduce hate speech online while encouraging safer digital environments for sports fans. Participants examined how technology companies, governing bodies and local communities can work together to address harmful behaviour before it escalates.
The forum was held on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, providing a timely platform to discuss one of football’s most pressing social issues.
A central theme throughout the event was the importance of collective responsibility. Speakers stressed that eliminating online abuse cannot be achieved by governing bodies alone. Instead, it requires cooperation between social media platforms, sports organisations, governments and individual users.
The FIFA hate speech campaign concluded with a formal commitment ceremony, where panellists pledged to take concrete actions within their communities to help counter online abuse and discrimination.
FIFA believes that protecting football’s inclusive spirit is essential as the sport continues to grow globally. By strengthening monitoring systems and encouraging collaboration, the organisation hopes to ensure that football remains a space where people from different backgrounds can come together through a shared passion for the game.
