Workers at the stadium set to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles have threatened to embark on a strike if federal immigration agents are deployed at the venue during the tournament.
The workers, represented by the UNITE HERE Local 11 labour union, said the presence of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency would create fear among employees and football fans attending the global event.
Key Highlights:
The dispute centres around SoFi Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament.
The venue is expected to host eight World Cup matches, including the opening game involving the United States on June 12.
According to the union, which represents about 2,000 hospitality workers at the stadium, members are demanding guarantees from authorities that ICE agents will not operate at the venue throughout the competition scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking during a protest outside the stadium, worker Isaac Martinez warned that employees were prepared to down tools if no agreement was reached.
“ICE should have no role in these games,” Martinez said, adding that workers did not want to live in fear while going to work or returning home after their shifts.
The protest also highlighted concerns surrounding FIFA’s accreditation process, which requires workers to submit personal information before participating in tournament operations.
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Another worker, Yolanda Fierro, appealed to FIFA not to share employee information with immigration authorities or foreign intelligence agencies.
The controversy comes amid growing criticism of ICE operations under the administration of Donald Trump. Human rights groups have previously condemned immigration raids carried out in several American cities, including Los Angeles.
Support for the workers’ protest also came from businessman and California governorship hopeful Tom Steyer, who questioned the relevance of immigration enforcement at an international football event.
“How is it possible that this is the agency that is going to be here when we know in fact they’re an absolute threat to workers in California?” Steyer said during the rally.
The development adds another layer of tension ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world.
