Activists: FIFA should protect World Cup attendees from immigration enforcement
A coalition of community organizations convened on FIFA’s doorstep in Coral Gables on Monday afternoon to urge the soccer world’s governing body to protect attendees at World Cup events from “overzealous immigration enforcement.”
About a dozen activists gathered on the sidewalk outside the gold-toned metal spirals that embellish the main entrance of FIFA’s new legal and compliance division office, holding signs reading “FIFA, eyes on the ball, ICE off the field!” and “FIFA, the world is watching!”
Speakers said recent actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had provoked increasing concern over the safety of local residents attending the Club World Cup games this summer at Hard Rock Stadium. The stadium will also host seven World Cup matches next year.
“We’ve long been concerned about ICE at sporting events under this administration, but our concerns have been heightened by irresponsible statements from ICE and CBP,” said Thomas Kennedy, an immigrant rights advocate with the Florida Immigrant Coalition.
Kennedy highlighted a June 10 post by Customs and Border Protection on social media site X that said the federal law enforcement agency would be “suited and booted and ready to provide security for the first round of games.”
The post was later deleted but not before arousing the concern of immigration rights groups in South Florida. The same day, NBC Miami reported that ICE had advised, in a statement regarding enforcement at Club World Cup games, that “all non-American citizens need to carry proof of their legal status.”
When asked to clarify, ICE told the Miami Herald: “As is customary for an event of this magnitude with national security implications, ICE will be working alongside our Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice partners to help ensure the safety and security of the event.”
The following night, on June 11, a celebration of the upcoming World Cup hosted by Spanish-language television network Telemundo aboard a boat in Biscayne Bay was abruptly canceled following a surprise inspection by the Coast Guard, alongside at least one border patrol agent. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who was aboard the boat at the time, said in a statement that the inspection was “deeply troubling” and “should not have happened.” Coast Guard spokesperson Chief Petty Officer Nicole Groll told the Herald that the inspection “was not a targeted immigration thing.”
On Monday, Kennedy told the crowd outside FIFA’s offices that his group had confirmed that federal immigration agents had been present at recent Club World Cup games. But Kennedy said his organization had not witnessed immigration agents at the games indiscriminately detaining attendees or demanding they provide proof of residency.
“FIFA has an opportunity to use the power of the game and culture to help us meet this moment,” said Laura Muñoz, the civic engagement director for the Florida Student Power Network. “Soccer has the power to bring us together, and that’s what we need the most right now — that’s what we’re asking for FIFA to do.”
Muñoz told the press conference that FIFA needed to recognize that many of Miami’s soccer fans were staying home and out of the bleachers because of fear over immigration enforcement.
“Especially for undocumented youth, they can’t feel safe going to a game,” Muñoz said. “This situation has gotten out of hand.”
FIFA did not provide a formal response to the press conference as of late Monday, but a June 17 press release from the organization highlighted the “record crowds and unmatched passion” of the matches at Hard Rock Stadium. The statement also said fans from over 130 countries had purchased tickets, traveling from across the globe to attend the games.
“FIFA is proud of the unique and multicultural atmosphere and support this new competition has already generated,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in the statement. “FIFA Club World Cup continues to grow into the undisputed pinnacle of global club football.”
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 10:22 PM.