DistantNews
Support us
World Cup 2026: LA stadium workers vote to authorize strike
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

World Cup 2026: LA stadium workers vote to authorize strike

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Workers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike during the 2026 World Cup over wage demands and the presence of the ICE agency.
  • The union, representing 2,000 food and beverage workers, could strike at any time if demands are not met, with negotiations ongoing.
  • The stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches, is the world's most expensive sports venue.

Employees at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike during the 2026 World Cup, citing unmet demands regarding wages and the presence of the ICE agency at the venue. The union Unite Here Local 11, which represents approximately 2,000 workers in food and beverage services and suites, reported that 96% of voters supported the potential strike.

This means that workers could leave their posts at any moment if their demands are not met

— Unite Here Local 11Announcing the result of the strike authorization vote.

This vote means workers could walk off their jobs at any moment if their demands are not satisfied. Negotiations between the union and Legends Global, the stadium's food service operator, are scheduled to continue just days before the stadium hosts the World Cup's first match in the United States on June 12 between the US and Paraguay. SoFi Stadium, inaugurated in 2020 at a cost exceeding $5 billion, is the world's most expensive sports venue and will host eight matches during the tournament.

"If we are forced to go on strike, in those $100,000 FIFA suites, there will be nothing but bottled water and Doritos," said Kurt Petersen, co-president of the union, highlighting the potential disruption. Among their demands, workers seek guarantees that they can leave their posts if the federal ICE agency, a key part of President Donald Trump's anti-immigration efforts, is present during World Cup matches. ICE has faced criticism from human rights organizations for its raids in various cities, including Los Angeles.

If we are forced to go on strike, in those $100,000 FIFA suites, there will be nothing but bottled water and Doritos

— Kurt PetersenDescribing the potential impact of a strike on VIP services.

Workers also expressed concern about providing personal information to FIFA for accreditation, fearing it could be shared with immigration agencies. The demands also include improved salary conditions. "The World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for the most basic respect and safety. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I am ready," said César Zamora, a waiter at the stadium.

The World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for the most basic respect and safety. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I am ready

— César ZamoraA stadium waiter expressing his readiness to strike for better conditions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog