What you need to know if you are going to cover the 2026 World Cup inside or outside the pitch
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In a webinar on journalist safety and preparedness featuring José Zamora,CPJ’s regional director for the Americas, moderated by palabra, recommendations were offered on how to safely cover the event.
By: palabra, @palabranahj
Clic aquí para leer en español
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the biggest journalistic events in history. Tens of thousands of journalists and media workers will cover matches, side activities, massive fan gatherings, protests, public events, and social interest stories across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
But this World Cup will not just be a sports story. It will also be a crucial test for press freedom, journalist safety, and our ability to prepare for new risks.
José Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), offered key recommendations to manage the physical, digital, legal, and immigration risks that media professionals could face during coverage, in a webinar moderated by Tamoa Calzadilla, Managing Editor & Publisher of palabra. The event "Mundial 2026 y Libertad de Prensa: Cobertura Segura, Derechos Legales y Riesgos Periodísticos" took place on Thursday, June 4, 2026, and is part of our series of trainings and conversations for journalists "palabra por palabra."
Ten key recommendations:
1. Conduct a risk assessment before traveling
Preparation must begin before boarding a plane. Journalists must assess whether their nationality, immigration status, travel history, publications on political or sensitive topics, social media, or information stored on their devices could prompt additional questions at airports or border crossings.
"Don't make important decisions for the first time at the border," Zamora stressed.
Before traveling, he recommended reviewing which devices will be brought, deleting sensitive information that is not necessary for the coverage, writing down emergency contacts on paper, and establishing communication protocols with the newsroom, colleagues, or family members.
2. Prepare your devices before crossing the border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to search electronic devices at the border without a warrant.
For this reason, Zamora recommended completely powering down devices before reaching immigration control and not turning them back on until completing the process. He also advised disabling biometric access, such as facial recognition or fingerprints, and using passcodes instead.
3. Do not lie to immigration authorities
The panelists emphasized that journalists must remain calm during any interaction with border agents or authorities and warned that one must not lie to a federal official, as doing so can constitute a crime.
If a journalist feels their rights are being violated, it is recommended to speak with a lawyer using a clear phrase, such as: "I would like to speak with a lawyer." Although immediate access to legal representation is not always guaranteed at the border, making the request leaves a record of the journalist's intent to seek legal assistance.
4. Identify exits, alternative routes, and safe zones
Many of the most serious risks can occur outside the stadiums, at fan celebrations, protests, transportation hubs, and other public spaces with high concentrations of people.
Before beginning coverage, journalists must know the location, identify primary and secondary exit routes, meeting points, alternative routes, and maintain constant communication with their team.
5. Pay attention to signs of escalation
During coverage in massive spaces, journalists must observe the behavior of security forces and changes in crowd dynamics. Among the warning signs are tactical formations, deployment of riot shields, tear gas, rubber bullets, or dispersal devices.
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If firearms are visible, it is recommended to move immediately to a zone of solid cover. It was also advised to avoid staying near congested exits that could become risk points if the crowd attempts to exit quickly.
6. Look for company
Work in teams whenever possible. One journalist can focus on covering the event while another person observes the surroundings, identifies potential threats, and maintains communication with the team.
7. Carry identification, credentials, and emergency contacts
Legal preparation is also a form of protection. Journalists must carry official identification, press credentials, emergency information, and legal assistance contacts. However, "press credentials are important, but they are not an absolute shield against questioning, searches, or risky situations," Zamora warned.
Before each coverage, define who to call, who should know your location, and who should act if contact is lost.
8. Maintain constant communication with your newsroom or team
Establish check-in protocols before the coverage with colleagues, editors, and emergency contacts, especially at massive or potentially risky events. This includes agreeing on how often to report in and what to do if communication is lost.
Planning reduces stress and improves response capacity during an emergency.
9. Know the available support resources
CPJ offers resources for journalists facing safety risks or incidents, including physical and digital safety advisories, training, guidance for high-risk coverage, assistance in eventualities, and small emergency grants, including for legal costs or psychological support.
CPJ also has a safety chatbot on WhatsApp. To access it, journalists can send the word "Hello" to the number +1-206-590-6191. To request direct support, they can write to emergencies@cpj.org.
10. Preparation is protection
Know the available resources and remember that press credentials help, but they do not substitute a physical, digital, and legal safety strategy.
You can find additional information in this CPJ guide.