FIFA under pressure to condemn Trumps involvement in ICE raids during 2026 World Cup

FIFA Executive Seeks Meeting with Trump to Discuss Immigration Raids

A proposal has been made by FIFA executives to request a moratorium on immigration raids at this year’s World Cup tournament in the United States. According to The Athletic, anonymous sources have revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is considering approaching US President Donald Trump with the request.

The proposed request would include a full moratorium on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the US during the World Cup, which is set to begin on June 11. This year’s tournament is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

In response to concerns about potential immigration crackdowns at the event, the White House has stated that President Trump is focused on ensuring the safety and security of the tournament. A spokesperson for the White House praised the upcoming football tournament as a significant economic and job-generating opportunity for the US.

However, there have been previous indications from the Trump administration that immigration agencies may be present at World Cup games. In May, Vice President JD Vance suggested that visitors would need to comply with the terms of their visas, while ICE acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed that his agency would be involved in securing the tournament’s operation.

FIFA has faced pressure to address concerns about potential immigration enforcement during the World Cup. The organization was made aware of complaints during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the US, including reports of agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) being present at matches.

Source: Al Jazeera