US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Absent from 2026 World Cup Stadiums

Rodney Barreto, Co-Chairman of the 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee, confirmed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will not be present in stadiums during the upcoming tournament. Speaking to 'The Athletic' on Thursday, Barreto explained that this approach aims to ensure a positive experience for all participants and fans, free from any mass surveillance operations, emphasizing that the World Cup is not a platform for such measures.

Barreto also noted that he received assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the absence of immigration officials from the competitions. Rubio will oversee the acceleration of passport processing and facilitate the orderly arrival of visitors. Rodney Barreto stated, "Immigration and Customs Enforcement will not be in the stadium; it's not about an intensive surveillance operation, and that's not our goal. Instead, it will be a great experience for everyone." He added that Rubio "will work to process passports quickly to ensure people arrive without obstacles, while organizing operations to avoid any delays."

These arrangements come amid increasing criticism directed at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement following multiple incidents in recent months. The organizing committee aims to prevent the chaos witnessed in Florida during the Copa America 2024 final, where fans stormed stadium gates. Furthermore, President Donald Trump has allocated financial resources to compensate host cities, including Miami, for police protection costs to ensure fan safety and facilitate their movement.