FIFA anti-discrimination partner warns against Olympic-style transgender ban

FIFA's anti-discrimination partner has raised concerns over potential plans to implement a ban on transgender athletes in the Women’s World Cup, following reports that the Trump administration is seeking to influence the international governing body of soccer. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup Task Force, stated that securing a commitment from FIFA that “women play in the Women’s World Cup and not biological men” could become a pivotal point in negotiations for the 2031 tournament. This move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to restrict transgender women from participating in women’s and girls' sports both within the United States and internationally. Giuliani emphasized that achieving such a policy would mark a significant win for the administration’s stance on transgender rights in sports. Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee introduced a comprehensive ban on transgender athletes in female categories, mirroring an executive order issued by the White House. However, Piara Powar, executive director of the anti-discrimination group Fare Network, cautioned that implementing similar restrictions in FIFA would exacerbate stigma against transgender athletes and further isolate women with intersex traits. In a message to POLITICO, Powar stressed the importance of ensuring that any temporary ban for the 2031 World Cup does not become a permanent fixture in FIFA regulations. She urged the organization to avoid adopting policies akin to those of the IOC, which she believes would exclude individuals from participating in football. Currently, FIFA lacks a unified system for verifying the sex of athletes, leaving the responsibility to individual national federations. These bodies must confirm the eligibility of their players before submitting rosters, including examining any deviations in secondary sex characteristics and keeping records of their assessments. In contrast, the IOC mandates a one-time genetic test for athletes competing in female categories. According to Powar, such a policy shift at FIFA would disproportionately affect women with differences in sex development (DSDs), who may exhibit testosterone levels beyond the typical female range and possess male chromosomes. Jon Holmes, a spokesperson for the advocacy group Football v Homophobia, echoed these concerns, warning that women with DSDs would likely suffer the greatest consequences of any new policy. He suggested that the administration's push for stricter regulations might be more symbolic than practical, noting there is little indication that transgender female soccer players are close to reaching international competition standards. Meanwhile, Payoshni Mitra, an advocate for ending sex testing in women’s sports, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of an exclusionary policy being implemented. While she acknowledged the need for scientific basis in any future regulation, she emphasized the importance of considering athlete welfare alongside other relevant factors. FIFA has not officially confirmed the location for the 2031 tournament, although the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have submitted a combined bid. Giuliani claimed the organization has already informed President Donald Trump that the U.S. would host the event. Despite the economic incentives associated with hosting in the U.S., Powar urged other sports organizations to weigh the potential repercussions on the integrity of their sports and the inclusion of participants. She highlighted the risk of compromising the openness and accessibility of football, a sport traditionally welcoming to diverse groups.