Sports 16 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
FIFA Considers Requesting Trump to Halt ICE Raids During 2026 World Cup
FIFA leaders are discussing having President Gianni Infantino urge U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend ICE immigration raids throughout the 2026 World Cup in North America, amid concerns from member federations and workers. The expanded 48-team tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, has prompted calls for reduced ICE involvement beyond host cities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/world-cup/fifa-to-ask-trump-to-pause-ice-raids-during-world-cup-5425648
FIFA’s top officials have explored the idea of President Gianni Infantino making a direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump to pause all ICE raids during the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the largest in history with 48 teams across North America.
This comes after European member federations voiced worries about ICE agents near event sites. Initially, FIFA considered restricting ICE operations in the 11 U.S. host cities, but with teams establishing base camps nationwide, a full suspension from June 11 to July 19 is now preferred.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed agents’ role in match security. However, Congress members and SoFi Stadium workers in Los Angeles, where the U.S. team plays group games, have protested potential immigration enforcement turning into raids.
Trump’s administration has ramped up deportations, including controversial raids clashing with protesters. Infantino appears open to the ‘president-to-president’ request, bolstered by FIFA’s New York office in Trump Tower and awarding Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.
No formal request or U.S. response has been confirmed yet.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)