• ICE at World Cup 2026 Venues
  • Fear Grows Among Latinos
  • World Cup Competes for Attention

The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins on June 12 in the United States, but the event arrives marked by the presence of immigration agents at the venues and by media competition with other sporting and political events.

The opening match will feature the United States national team against Paraguay.

ICE at World Cup 2026 Sparks Controversy

However, the atmosphere ahead of the tournament has been overshadowed by Donald Trump’s government decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and Border Patrol, or CBP, agents in host cities.

The Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, confirmed that during the 38 days of competition, federal agents will be present in the 11 U.S. cities where matches will be played.

The measure has generated concern among sectors of fans, especially Latino and Hispanic communities, which make up an important part of the soccer fan base in the United States.

Immigration Security Marks the Start of the Tournament

Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security secretary in Trump’s government, refused to remove ICE and CBP agents from stadiums and their surrounding areas.

According to the official, the presence of agents will help guarantee security during the competition.

Mullin said federal personnel will help prevent the presence of criminals, people who cause disturbances, and ticket scalpers.

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However, the announcement has increased concern among Latino fans and members of other racial minorities.

The main fear is that detentions could occur in connection with the anti-immigration raids that the federal government continues to enforce.

State and local governments asked the Trump administration to reconsider the measure.

Authorities argued that U.S. citizens could be mistakenly detained because of their physical appearance or racial profiling.

They also expressed concern for foreign visitors who entered legally with tourist visas.

Texas Leads Criticism Over Federal Presence

The cities of Dallas and Houston are among the most dissatisfied with the decision.

Dallas will host nine matches during the tournament. Houston will host seven games.

Authorities in both cities unsuccessfully requested that ICE and CBP agents be barred from sports complexes.

The controversy is compounded by the situation of some foreign fans.

Visitors from Haiti, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Iran have had to pay personal bonds to enter the country.

The amounts required range from $5,000 to $15,000.

That additional expense comes on top of the already high cost of tickets for World Cup matches.

U.S. authorities apply these measures to citizens of countries considered dangerous by the Trump administration.

Other Events Steal the World Cup’s Spotlight

Less than 24 hours before the start of the competition, national attention in the United States is not focused on the World Cup.

One of the main factors is the overlap with the NBA Finals series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

Basketball remains considerably more popular than soccer among the U.S. population.

The ice hockey final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Las Vegas Golden Knights is also being played.

In addition, daily Major League Baseball games will continue throughout the World Cup.

Outside the sports world, the political calendar is also competing for public attention.

On June 14, Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday at the White House with a series of mixed martial arts fights.

Later, on July 4, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its independence.

The celebration will take place just 15 days before the World Cup final and, according to Trump, will be a major event with him as the main protagonist.