FIFA weighs requesting Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup, reports say

FIFA weighs requesting Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup, reports say

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, with kickoff scheduled for June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, reports have emerged that senior FIFA management has discussed the possibility of asking President Donald Trump to pause immigration enforcement actions during the tournament. The discussions, first reported by The Athletic on Tuesday, have drawn attention to the tension between the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies and the international nature of the event.

Coverage Comparison

According to multiple reports, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been approached by senior executives with proposals to petition the White House for a moratorium on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids during the World Cup. The Athletic, cited by several outlets, reported that these conversations initially focused on keeping ICE away from World Cup venues across the 11 US host cities but later broadened to include the cities themselves. Four people familiar with the conversations, speaking anonymously, indicated that Infantino has expressed receptiveness to the idea and would seek to make a direct request to Trump.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has separately called on FIFA to press the US government for an "ICE Truce," which would include a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at games and venues. The organization's report, released this week, urged FIFA to "act urgently to address the risks of human rights abuses for athletes, fans, and workers" and to use its leverage to demand that the Trump administration "roll back discriminatory travel bans, refrain from abusive immigration enforcement operations in and around World Cup venues, protect children's rights and commit to uphold freedom of assembly and speech."

The White House, in a statement to Al Jazeera, declined to discuss negotiations with FIFA leadership but praised the upcoming tournament, with spokesperson Davis Ingle saying, "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history of mankind, right here in the United States of America." Ingle added that the event would generate billions of dollars in economic impact and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs, and that the President is "focused on making this the greatest World Cup ever."

ICE acting Director Todd Lyons has confirmed that his agency will play a "key part" in ensuring security during the event, with its primary role centering on Homeland Security investigations. However, labor unions and some members of the US Congress have raised concerns that ICE could conduct immigration enforcement raids during the tournament. The union representing workers at SoFi Stadium, one of the host venues, has demanded that FIFA keep ICE away from World Cup operations.

Key Claims

• Infantino considering direct appeal: According to The Athletic, cited by multiple outlets, Infantino has indicated he is considering making a direct appeal to Trump for a "full moratorium on ICE raids across the United States during the World Cup." This claim is based on anonymous sources and has not been independently verified by other news organizations.
• Trump administration policies: The Trump administration has pushed for mass deportation and tightened legal immigration pathways, a policy direction that has raised concerns about the safety of international visitors during the World Cup. This is widely reported across multiple sources.
• ICE presence at World Cup: Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, has confirmed that the agency will be involved in security operations for the event, as reported by multiple outlets. The exact scope of ICE's role remains unclear, with Lyons noting a focus on Homeland Security investigations.
• White House response: The White House declined to discuss negotiations with FIFA leadership but praised the World Cup as a boon for the US. This statement was reported by Al Jazeera and may not have been covered by other outlets.
• HRW's "ICE Truce" call: Human Rights Watch has called for an "ICE Truce" during the World Cup, including a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations. This call has been reported by Al Jazeera and other outlets, though the specifics of the report were not confirmed by FIFA or the White House.
• Morocco's role: The Jerusalem Post reported that Morocco is participating in the White House FIFA security task force, a detail that has not been widely covered elsewhere.

Perspectives

FIFA's position

FIFA has not publicly commented on the reports, but the internal discussions suggest a desire to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly and that the international audience feels welcome. Infantino's relationship with Trump, which includes attending the President's inauguration and awarding him the FIFA Peace Prize, could be leveraged to secure policy adjustments, according to sources cited by The Athletic.

US government stance

The White House has emphasized the economic benefits of hosting the World Cup and has assured that the event will be "safe and secure." ICE's involvement in security operations has been framed as part of broader homeland security efforts, though critics worry that enforcement actions could target fans or workers.

Human rights advocates

HRW and other rights groups have expressed concern that the administration's immigration crackdown could create an unsafe environment for minorities and international visitors. They argue that an "ICE Truce" is necessary to protect against human rights abuses and to ensure the World Cup is not "a stage for repression," as Amnesty International has warned.

Labor unions

Unions representing workers at World Cup venues, such as SoFi Stadium, have demanded that FIFA keep ICE away from operations, citing fears that workers could be targeted for immigration enforcement. This reflects broader anxiety among immigrant communities and labor advocates about the administration's policies.

Conclusion

The reports highlight a complex interplay between international sports diplomacy, immigration policy, and human rights concerns. While FIFA executives reportedly consider approaching the White House, and HRW pushes for an "ICE Truce," the administration has not confirmed any negotiations. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether such appeals gain traction and how the US government balances security and welcoming the world's largest sporting event.