Trump immigration policies complicate security planning for 2026 World Cup

February 13, 2026 Oliver Obel

FIFA’s tournament regulations allow the governing body to “cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26)” if security or safety concerns arise.

That clause is now getting renewed attention.

With the 2026 World Cup set to span the United States, Canada and Mexico, preparations are accelerating. But in the US, those plans are unfolding against intensifying political debate over immigration enforcement.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has faced sustained criticism during President Donald Trump’s second term, particularly following expanded deportation measures introduced after he returned to office in January 2025. Protests escalated after the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Now the focus is shifting to what role, if any, ICE will play during one of the world’s most watched sporting events.

A security presence under debate

ICE personnel were deployed to assist with security operations at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina earlier this year. During the opening ceremony, demonstrators displayed a banner reading “Know your Enemy,” highlighting opposition to the agency’s involvement in international events.

Similar protests are expected in several US host cities.

Whether ICE agents will be visibly stationed at stadiums during the World Cup remains unclear. Still, the agency’s enforcement footprint has expanded in recent months, making its potential role politically sensitive.

In comments reported by The Guardian, ICE director Todd Lyons said:

“ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup. We are dedicated to securing that operation, and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors.

“ICE is dedicated to ensuring everyone who visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.”

His remarks point to coordination within broader federal security planning, though operational specifics have not been publicly detailed.

For organizers, the tension is obvious. The World Cup markets itself as a celebration of global unity and open exchange. Immigration enforcement, by contrast, remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics. The symbolism alone is drawing scrutiny.

Entry requirements in the spotlight

Travel logistics are adding another layer.

Fans from Visa Waiver Programme countries including Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom must secure approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before entering the United States. Officials have also warned of mandatory security checks ahead of matches.

The Trump administration has proposed requiring certain visa applicants to disclose social media accounts used within the past five years. Supporters say the measure strengthens vetting. Civil liberties advocates argue it could deter visitors.

With millions expected to travel across North America, even routine screening procedures have become part of the political conversation. What would normally be administrative details are now a flashpoint.

Detention figures add context

Separate reporting by The Guardian found that 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025, matching the highest annual total previously recorded in 2004. The newspaper also reported that 68,440 individuals were being held in detention in mid-December, nearly three-quarters of whom had no criminal convictions.

Those figures have intensified criticism from advocacy groups and placed additional attention on the agency’s public role.

While some activists have called on FIFA to reconsider the United States as a host nation, the organization has given no indication that tournament plans will change.

For now, preparations continue across North America.

But as kickoff approaches, immigration policy usually debated within domestic political arenas is moving onto one of the most visible stages in global sport. And that tension is unlikely to fade quietly.

Sources: The Guardian; FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations