Civil and immigrant rights organizations in the United States launched an urgent appeal to FIFA on Monday: guarantee that stadiums during the 2026 World Cup will be safe spaces, free of immigration raids and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) operations.
The petition was formalized at a press conference in front of FIFA headquarters in Miami, where spokespersons from at least six organizations pointed out that the current immigration policy in Florida, promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis and backed by President Donald Trump, is generating fear, distrust and empty stadiums during the current 2025 Club World Cup.
“We didn’t come to see raids.”
Yareliz Méndez, of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), was blunt:
“We demand from FIFA that there be no ICE presence in the stadiums. We came to watch soccer, not arrests.”
The activists also called for a halt to the 287(g) agreements, which allow for collaboration between local and federal agencies in immigration operations.
According to Méndez, these agreements have generated “chaos, fear and uncertainty” in immigrant communities.
Especially in Miami-Dade, where more than $46 million has been invested in sporting events.
Empty stadiums and free tickets
The complaint also included the economic and image impact:
Some Club World Cup tickets have sold for less than $4, and the stadiums are still empty
Attorney Will Mann, of the Community Justice Project, warned that allowing raids on mass events would make FIFA complicit in a “humanitarian tragedy and international embarrassment.”
Alligators, prisons and bad news
Buzzy
While the tournament is being held in Miami, media attention has been diverted to the Everglades, where the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center, a mega-project pushed by DeSantis, was built.
President Donald Trump will visit the facility this week, and activists have already confirmed a protest in the area.
They also questioned Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava for her silence on local collaboration with ICE:
“He is part of the World Cup organizing committee. His silence is a mistake,” Méndez criticized.
Final appeal to FIFA
Filmmaker Billy Corben summed up the sentiment of the collectives:
“If they allow ICE into stadiums, they will lose money, reputation and the spirit of soccer. FIFA must protect its fans.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
