ICE to Deploy Personnel for 2026 World Cup Security in Florida, Texas, California

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will have a significant presence at the 2026 World Cup, with operations planned in various host cities across Florida, Texas, and California. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, confirmed that ICE officers will focus on security around stadiums and crime prevention, assuring that their role will not involve immigration raids or arrests based on immigration status.

The World Cup, classified as a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for the U.S. government, necessitates the activation of federal resources to ensure the safety of fans and athletes. ICE personnel, alongside the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will work collaboratively at each match held in the United States. This coordinated effort aims to manage the large-scale security challenges presented by the tournament, which will feature 11 stadiums across different cities.

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the labor of the officials will not consist of carrying out raids or making arrests for immigration status. Instead, the agency's priority will focus on security surveillance around the stadiums and crime prevention.

In California, security efforts will be concentrated in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. The SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, hosting eight matches including the U.S. team's debut, will receive special attention. Notably, federal authorities have allocated extra personnel for the matches involving Iran against New Zealand and Belgium, citing the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay area will also be part of the security scheme, with its first match scheduled for June 13.

Florida's host city, Miami, will see seven World Cup matches. Mullin stated that ICE's approach will mirror its operations during other major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Kentucky Derby. This deployment underscores the U.S. government's commitment to securing major international events, balancing security needs with assurances against immigration enforcement actions during the tournament.

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the agency will act as in other major sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or the Kentucky Derby.