In just 11 days, Los Angeles will play host to one of the world’s biggest sporting spectacles as the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives at SoFi Stadium. But ahead of the opening matches, concerns over federal immigration enforcement have sparked labor tensions at SoFi Stadium. Hospitality workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, have threatened to strike if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are deployed during tournament events. The stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches this summer, including the opening match for the United States national team against Paraguay on June 12th.
Workers described the potential presence of ICE agents as creating a climate of fear for both employees and attendees. Many of the workers involved in concessions, hospitality, and stadium operations are immigrants or come from immigrant families, and concerns intensified following reports of aggressive immigration enforcement actions in cities across the country. UNITE HERE 11 escalated their workers concerns in a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta alleging that FIFA’s accreditation process, which requires workers to submit personal information before receiving authorization to work could potentially expose employees to targeting by ICE. In addition to demanding assurances ICE agents will not be permitted at World Cup venues, the letter also calls for restrictions on subcontracted labor at the stadium and raised concerns about the potential use of artificial intelligence and automation that could eliminate union jobs during major sporting events.
In response to the concerns brought by UNITE HERE local 11, organizing officials have clarified that ICE is not part of the official security plan for matches at SoFi Stadium or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kathryn Schloessman, CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, stated that while local, state, and federal agencies are coordinating on public safety logistics, there is “no indication” that ICE agents will be deployed at major World Cup events in Los Angeles. The clarification has appeared to ease some immediate concerns, though union leaders have continued to call for formal guarantees.
Unfortunately other venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, such as New York, New Jersey, and Seattle, are continuing to face the threat of ICE agents being used as part of the security plan. Human Rights Watch has urged FIFA to push for an "ICE Truce" at the World Cup, including assurances that ICE will not conduct immigration arrests at match venues.
The situation highlights the growing intersection between workplace rights, labor protections, and immigration-related fear in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor. Even outside traditional workers’ compensation disputes, the threat of immigration enforcement can discourage workers from reporting injuries, unsafe conditions, wage violations, or retaliation. The dispute surrounding the World Cup also serves as another reminder that large-scale events and high-profile employers are not immune from broader labor tensions impacting vulnerable workers across California.
