According to BBC Sport’s Dan Roan, in an article published in February, the acting head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Todd Lyons, told a congressional committee that ICE would be “a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup”. His comments came after lawmakers asked whether the agency would pause operations around matches and official FIFA events.
Representative Nellie Pou, whose New Jersey district includes MetLife Stadium, warned that fears of wrongful detention could damage confidence among visiting fans. MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host the World Cup final.
Lyons said ICE was committed to ensuring a safe event for players, officials and visitors. But the exchange reflected a broader concern: that a visible immigration enforcement presence could make some supporters feel unwelcome or unsafe during the tournament.
The issue was sharpened by public anger over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two US citizens who were shot during ICE enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Their deaths became part of a wider debate over immigration policy, policing and the atmosphere facing international fans travelling to the United States.
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June violence raises fresh security questions
Those earlier concerns have now been joined by more immediate fears over public safety in US host cities.
As reported by Al Jazeera on 8 June, six people were injured in a stabbing at New York’s Penn Station, while nine others suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both cities are connected to the World Cup. The New York metropolitan area will host matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, while Kansas City is also among the US host cities. The Kansas City shooting took place several kilometres from Swope Soccer Village, where England are due to train during the tournament.
The New York attack happened at one of the busiest transport hubs in the United States, just as the city was preparing for major sporting events, including the NBA Finals and the World Cup. Officials said a suspect was detained and the victims were taken to hospital.
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In Kansas City, police said no suspect had been taken into custody immediately after the shooting.
A tournament under pressure before kick-off
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, with 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The United States will host 78 matches in 11 cities.
That scale presents a major security challenge. Authorities must protect stadiums, fan zones, transport hubs, training bases, team hotels and public gatherings, while also coordinating between federal agencies, state police, local departments and private security groups.
Officials have said the tournament will receive a high level of federal security coordination. Measures are expected to include drone restrictions, joint operations centres and enhanced surveillance around major venues and fan areas.
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Yet the central challenge may be one of trust as much as logistics. Fans need to believe they can move safely through host cities, attend matches without intimidation and gather in public spaces without fear.
Safety and confidence now go together
For FIFA and US organisers, the security message is becoming increasingly complicated.
The February debate over ICE raised concerns about immigration enforcement and civil liberties. The June incidents in New York and Kansas City have added fears about street violence and the safety of crowded public places.
Taken together, they have created a difficult backdrop for the tournament. The success of the World Cup will depend not only on the ability of authorities to secure venues, but also on whether supporters feel confident enough to travel, gather and celebrate.
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Sources: BBC Sport, Al Jazeera
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