FIFA, soccer’s governing body that organizes the World Cup, is under pressure to petition US President Donald Trump to avoid immigration raids at this year’s tournament.
On Tuesday, publication The Athletic reported, citing unnamed sources, that FIFA executives have approached the soccer association’s president, Gianni Infantino, with suggestions to President Trump to reduce the possibility of immigration crackdowns at future matches.
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The article suggested that Infantino was considering a direct appeal to Trump. The request reportedly includes “a complete moratorium on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids across the United States during this summer’s World Cup.”
This year’s World Cup matches will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with kickoff starting on June 11, less than two months later.
But the Trump administration’s push for mass deportations and efforts to tighten legal immigration routes has raised concerns that overseas World Cup spectators will be targeted by U.S. immigration authorities.
In a statement to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, the White House declined to discuss negotiations with FIFA leadership, but praised the upcoming soccer tournament as a boon for the United States.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in human history, right here in the United States of America,” said White House Press Secretary Davis Ingle.
“This tournament will generate billions of dollars in economic impact and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to our country. The President is focused on making this the best World Cup ever, while ensuring it is the safest and most secure tournament ever.”
However, the Trump administration has previously indicated that immigration agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may be involved in this year’s World Cup games.
Eleven U.S. cities are scheduled to host games, including Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles.
At a World Cup Committee meeting last May, Vice President J.D. Vance estimated that the tournament would attract visitors from hundreds of countries.
But he indicated that then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was present at the panel discussion and hinted that the U.S. government would urge all attendees to abide by the terms of their visas.
“We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,” Vance said. “But when the time comes, they have to go home. If not, they have to talk to Secretary Noem.”
Noem, who oversaw Trump’s deportation efforts until she was fired last March, drew criticism for her hard-line stance.
For example, under her authority, ICE and other immigration authorities conducted a violent crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in the shooting deaths of two Americans, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preti, as well as reports of other human rights violations.
Most recently, in February, Acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons confirmed to a House committee that ICE agents would be on-site at World Cup events.
When asked about visitor concerns, he declined to commit to suspending ICE operations during games.
“ICE, and Homeland Security Investigations in particular, is an important part of the overall World Cup security apparatus,” Lyons said. “We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of its operations and are committed to the safety of not only our visitors, but all participants.”
According to a reporter for The Athletic, FIFA was made aware of complaints during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, including reports that ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were present at matches.
However, the Trump administration denied conducting any enforcement activities during the Club World Cup.
Still, some critics question whether fans from around the world will be safely welcomed in the United States for this year’s tournament.
The Athletic explained that FIFA executives framed the possibility of an immigration suspension as a potential public relations benefit for the Trump administration.
Executives also indicated they expect Mr. Infantino to use his friendship with Mr. Trump to allay immigration-related concerns.
Infantino and Trump’s close relationship has frequently drawn criticism, and they are often seen together at public events, including this weekend’s UFC fight in Miami.
The FIFA chief also participated in a controversial meeting of President Trump’s Peace Commission in February. In December, Infantino awarded Trump the first FIFA Peace Prize for his “extraordinary and extraordinary actions to promote peace.”
The decision cast doubt on the award’s selection process. Critics slammed the award as an attempt by Infantino to curry favor with the US president, who had openly sought the Nobel Peace Prize.
After the ceremony, rights groups lodged a complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee, calling the award a “clear breach of FIFA’s neutrality obligations.”
