The Trump administration has declined to provide assurances that non-U.S. citizens attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be protected from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at tournament venues. Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force and longtime ally of President Trump, confirmed this position during a press briefing with foreign correspondents.
When questioned about concerns regarding potential detention and deportation raids during the games, Giuliani emphasized that President Trump “does not rule out anything that will help make American citizens safer.” This stance follows a July incident where ICE arrested a father at a FIFA Club World Cup game in New Jersey for operating a drone to take family photos, which prompted condemnation from Human Rights Watch.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has removed approximately 500,000 people from the U.S. in the past 10 months, with an additional 1.6 million individuals reportedly “self-deporting” due to fear. While the administration initially focused on removing “violent criminals,” enforcement has expanded to include those with minor violations such as traffic infractions or decades-old bounced checks.
Visa processing for World Cup attendees has seen improvements, with wait times reduced from over a year to approximately 60 days for qualifying nations. Ticket holders will be eligible for expedited visa processing, though approval remains subject to rigorous security screening, including potential social media reviews. However, both visa approval and entry into the U.S. remain discretionary decisions made by border agents.
The administration’s travel ban affecting 19 countries has created additional complications, particularly for Iran’s delegation which will boycott the World Cup draw after the U.S. refused visas for most of its members. Giuliani confirmed only partial visa approval for the Iranian delegation, stating that every decision is based on national security considerations.
Despite these enforcement measures, Giuliani maintained that the U.S. welcomes international visitors who come “to enjoy, spend disposable income, enjoy the United States of America,” while characterizing President Trump’s controversial rhetoric about certain nations as “completely honest” and part of his “unique style” of leadership.