As football fans around the world follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Christian charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is calling attention to a different reality faced by millions of people in a number of participating countries, namely restrictions on freedom of religion or belief.

This was reported by Christian Today.

The tournament, which began on June 11 and is being hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, features a record 48 national teams. According to ACN, however, many of the participating countries continue to face serious challenges regarding freedom of religion or belief.

Drawing on the findings of its report Religious Freedom in the World, ACN stated that 14 countries participating in the tournament experience serious violations of religious freedom, ranging from discrimination against religious minorities to outright persecution. These include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which the organization classifies as countries where religious persecution occurs.

In Iran and Saudi Arabia, legal restrictions continue to affect people who have converted from Islam to another faith, as well as members of religious communities that lack official recognition. Those accused of violating these laws face severe penalties, including imprisonment and the death penalty.

Meanwhile, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the situation, already complicated by ongoing conflict and instability, has been further worsened by the activities of the jihadist group Allied Democratic Forces in the eastern part of the country, creating extremely difficult conditions for many religious communities.

The charity also identified 11 participating countries where significant religious discrimination has been documented. These include Egypt, Haiti, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Jordan. ACN noted that concerns are not limited to countries that are traditionally associated with violations of religious freedom.

Mexico, one of the tournament’s host nations, continues to face security threats linked to organized crime. According to the organization, clergy and other religious leaders are increasingly becoming targets of drug cartels seeking to expand their influence within local communities.

ACN also cited Iraq as an example of religious diversity in international football. Although religious minorities in the country have faced hardship for decades, Iraq’s national team includes players from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, including four Christians, who make up 15 percent of the squad.

ACN is also using the World Cup as a platform to promote a petition urging governments and the United Nations to strengthen efforts to protect freedom of religion or belief and to hold those responsible for religious persecution accountable.