FIFA considers requesting Trump to issue ICE raid moratorium during World Cup - report
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- FIFA is reportedly considering asking President Trump to pause ICE raids during the World Cup.
- Senior FIFA management discussed leveraging President Trump's close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino for this policy adjustment.
- The discussions expanded from keeping ICE away from venues to encompassing entire host cities, with Infantino reportedly receptive to making the request.
The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli news outlet, reports on a potential move by FIFA that could impact the upcoming World Cup hosted in the United States. According to The Athletic, senior FIFA officials have discussed asking President Donald Trump to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids during the tournament.
Senior FIFA management held a discussion with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the possibility of requesting US President Donald Trump to pause Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) raids during the FIFA World Cup, which will be held this summer, according to a report published by The Athletic on Tuesday.
This idea stems from the close relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Trump. Executives reportedly believe Infantino can use this connection to influence policy during the World Cup, a sentiment that has been conveyed to Infantino himself. The discussions have reportedly broadened from just keeping ICE away from stadiums to potentially extending to the host cities themselves.
Infantino boasts a close relationship with Trump, having attended his presidential inauguration, held several appearances in the Oval Office, attended Board of Peace meetings, awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, and posted a photo alongside Trump at a UFC event in Miami last weekend.
While the report suggests Infantino is receptive to making such a request, ICE has stated it will play a key role in security. Concerns have been raised by labor unions and members of Congress about potential immigration enforcement near World Cup events. FIFA members have also privately expressed worries about ICE activity, recalling fan complaints about perceived enforcement presence at the 2025 Club World Cup.
These conversations initially centered on keeping ICE away from the World Cup venues across the 11 US host cities, but broadened to include the cities themselves, according to the sources.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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