Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be deployed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that has sparked concerns about potential enforcement actions despite initial assurances of a security-only role.
In early 2024, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons stated that agents would be present solely to support security efforts for the tournament. However, Kathryn Schloessman, chair of the Los Angeles World Cup hosting committee, admitted that the committee cannot definitively prevent ICE from conducting enforcement activities.
Schloessman emphasized the committee’s collaboration with ICE to focus on safety but acknowledged her limited authority over enforcement decisions. “We are working very closely with them to make sure they’re just focused on us, providing us a safe and secure event and nothing else,” she stated. “But having said that, I am not the ultimate decision-maker on that.”
The uncertainty surrounding ICE’s role has raised alarms among international fans, U.S. authorities, and migrant workers, who fear potential raids could disrupt the event and target vulnerable populations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and labor groups, including food and beverage workers, have expressed concerns about the risks posed by ICE’s presence. Many workers in these sectors are undocumented immigrants, making them particularly susceptible to enforcement actions.
Critics argue that ICE’s involvement could undermine the tournament’s global appeal and create a hostile environment for participants and attendees alike.
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