Many soccer fans, international visitors, and immigrants have spent months wondering whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — better known as ICE — will be present during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The answer is yes, but federal officials have said the focus will be on security. What exactly does that mean?
The FIFA World Cup is one of the largest and most important sporting events on the planet. Organizing it represents a major challenge for host countries and requires a massive security operation. In the case of the United States, where most matches will be played (including the final), preparations are already underway.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has delivered a clear message: ICE and other federal agencies will be active in combating certain crimes and potential criminal threats. Markwayne Mullin, the current Secretary of Homeland Security who was recently appointed by President Donald Trump, has confirmed this.
What crimes are we talking about? Will the focus be security, immigration, or both?
A World Cup Requires a Federal Operation to Match
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 and will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The 2026 World Cup has promised more venues, more teams, more matches, and greater scale. In the U.S., matches will be played across 11 cities, creating a significant challenge for organizers and requiring a large-scale security operation.
DHS and its agencies will be active in federal operations related to the event. According to ICE, the operation will include the following agencies or divisions, among others:
- ICE
- CBP (Customs and Border Protection), responsible for border security, customs enforcement, and entry control into the country (including immigration control)
- HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), ICE’s investigative division
Mullin noted that ICE and HSI will work “hand in hand” with CBP. This is important because it signals a coordinated, multi-agency effort rather than an isolated ICE presence.
Which Crimes Will DHS Target?
Mullin explained that large-scale events tend to see increases in certain crimes, such as:
- Counterfeit tickets
- Fake merchandise
- Human trafficking
- Drug smuggling
In response, the DHS Secretary emphasized that federal authorities will be “out there every day” working to combat these and other crimes associated with large crowds.
What Is HSI and Why Is It Involved?
Although many people associate ICE solely with immigration enforcement, the agency also conducts national security investigations and tackles transnational crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, exploitation, commercial fraud, intellectual property theft, and organized crime through HSI.
At major sporting events — like the World Cup or the Super Bowl — HSI typically plays an active role alongside the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center to combat the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods online, on social media, and through other channels.
So, will ICE carry out immigration enforcement and arrests during the World Cup?
While Mullin has attempted to reassure the public, stating in an interview with CBS News that ICE is “not there to conduct mass arrests,” he acknowledged that arrests are not off the table if agents encounter individuals involved in criminal activity or violations of U.S. law, including immigration laws.
His message can be summarized as follows:
- DHS does not plan to conduct mass immigration enforcement operations in stadiums or host cities, but that does not mean immigration law enforcement will be suspended during the World Cup.
- Immigrants should not panic over ICE’s presence, but they also should not assume agents will focus solely on security and pause immigration enforcement.
These statements come as the tournament faces lower-than-expected demand for Group Stage tickets and amid proposals such as the “Save the World Cup Act,” which seeks to limit ICE's presence in certain areas connected to the competition.
ICE’s presence during the 2026 World Cup carries clear emotional and political weight — especially for immigrants in the United States — following stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration, as well as recent raids and deportations.
Although federal authorities currently frame the operation as security-focused and aimed at crimes linked to large events, concerns about immigration arrests during World Cup matches have not fully subsided.
For fans, the recommendations are straightforward:
- Plan activities in advance
- Carry valid documentation when traveling to host cities
- Review special local ordinances being implemented alongside local police departments in cities such as Miami, Houston, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Atlanta
- Purchase tickets and merchandise through reliable channels
- Seek legal advice if planning to attend matches and are concerned about immigration status
If you have questions about your rights as an immigrant or how to prepare before traveling within the U.S., consult our free legal resources or find an immigration attorney in our directory.
This blog originally appeared on abogado.com.
