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Will ICE play security role at 2026 FIFA World Cup?

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

.... As the nation grapples with Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in Minneapolis, where federal agents have shot and killed two American citizens, reports that agents would be traveling with the United States Olympic team to Italy next month [02/2026] were met with confusion and anger.
..... The Winter Olympiad in Milan Cortina is not the only major sporting event happening this year. [2026] The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place this spring and summer, [2026] and the matches are a lot closer to home. In fact, eight of them will be played right her in the garden state. [NJ]
..... The matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford are the culmination of years of state government planning and coordination with host partners New York City.
..... It's unclear what impact the immigration and border security initiatives of the Trump administration will have as the tournament unfolds.
..... The unit going to Italy, Homeland Security Investigations, isn't the same as Enforcement and Removal Operations, which has been making headlines for tactics throughout the country.
..... The actions of the agency in Minnesota, where two Americans have been killed by federal mitigation officers, had led to pubic outcry - not just in this country but around the world.
..... The mayor of Milian, which is the host of the Olympics next month, [02/2026] said ICE wouldn't be welcome referring to it as a "militia that kills" in a radio interview.
..... Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi released a statement after meeting with U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta that said analysts from the Homeland Security Investigation unit would "work exclusively within their diplomatic o fices."
..... "The investigators of Homeland Security Investigators - the investigative arm of ICE - are present on over 50 countries, including in Italy for years, but do not carry out mitigation control operations or services in foreign countries," Piantedosi said. "All security operations on the territory therefore remain as always under the exclusive responsibility and direction of the Italian authorities."
...... Vice President JD Vance mentioned ICE in relation to the World Cup last year. [2025] He said at a White House Task Force in May [2025] that while he wants visitors to "celebrate," they should know "when the time is up, they'll have to go home. Otherwise they'll have to talk to Secretary [Kristi] Noem."

Concerns raised before 2025 event

..... When the Department of Homeland Security posted in early June [2025] that it was "suited and booted" in preparation for last summer's [2025] Club World Cup, regional host committee CEO Alex Lasry contacted the White House in concern.
..... He said at the time what he spoke to Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task force, and that he was assured there would be a routine presence of agents at MetLife, with the same holding true for this year's [2026] matches.
..... "The largest World Cup in history will be both secure and welcoming," Giuliani told Politico last summer. [2025] "As hosts, we're proud to open our doors to fans from around the world and one of the goals of the task force is to ensure that international fans can be a part of this historic sporting event."

Effect of visa pause on World Cup

.....State officials and representatives from the regional host committee have said for months that the success of the tournament lies not just in the product on the pitch but in the overall fan experience, especially for first-time tourists visiting from countries that have teams playing at MetLife.
..... Those teams - Brazil, Morocco, France, Senegal, Norway, Ecuador, Germany, Panama and England - may not have as much support as they previously expected after a new :indefinite pause" on immigration visa processing was announced by the State Department this month. [01/2026]
..... The pause is on individuals from 75 counties. Brazil, Morocco and Senegal are on the list.
..... Former Governor Phil Murphy called the pause a "concern."
..... Trump has hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida and at the White House. Infantino also attended Trump's second inauguration.
..... Among the other dignitaries who may be in attendance is Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump has said.
..... According to Trump, Putin wants to attend :very badly," and he believes that Putin "will be coming, depending on what happens." Russia hosted the tournament in 2018. The event was held in Qatar in 2022.

..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

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