FIFA Eyes ICE Raid Moratorium Request to Trump for 2026 World Cup

FIFA executives are discussing a direct request from President Gianni Infantino to U.S. President Donald Trump for a nationwide moratorium on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids during the 2026 World Cup, amid concerns over the agency's role in the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The 48-team event, set to unfold over 39 days starting in June, will feature matches in 16 host cities, including 11 in the U.S. such as Boston, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, and San Francisco. Senior FIFA officials have raised the idea with Infantino, citing fears that ICE operations could target international fans, players, and workers, potentially disrupting the tournament's atmosphere and safety. Initial talks focused on keeping agents away from stadiums and venues, but the proposal has broadened to encompass all U.S. host cities and, ultimately, the entire country, given teams' scattered base camps and fan travel patterns.

The push stems from Trump's immigration enforcement policies since his second term began in January 2025. The administration has prioritized mass deportations, leading to daily arrests of about 1,000...