FIFA executives are weighing a direct appeal to President Donald Trump, asking his administration to pause Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations nationwide during the 2026 World Cup. The request reportedly stems from mounting concerns that aggressive immigration enforcement could cast a shadow over a tournament expected to welcome more than one million international visitors.
FIFA reportedly planning to call Trump over ICE raids
According to The Athletic, senior officials within FIFA have discussed having their president, Gianni Infantino, reach out to Donald Trump personally to request a temporary moratorium on ICE activities. The proposal initially targeted only areas surrounding stadiums and the 11 American host cities. It later expanded to cover the entire United States for the full 39-day tournament, which kicks off this June across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA insiders are reportedly framing the pitch as a strategic win for the White House. The organization wants to position the pause as a joint announcement centered around the slogan “FIFA Unites the World.” The message would emphasize a welcoming atmosphere rather than a policy retreat.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has previously stated the agency would serve as a “key part of the overall security apparatus” for the event. However, the recent immigration crackdown overseen by Trump has intensified scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security reports nearly three million undocumented immigrants have departed or been removed in the president’s first year back in office. ICE operations have faced public backlash, including protests following the fatal shootings of two American citizens in Minnesota during an enforcement action in January.
Infantino appears uniquely positioned to make the request. The FIFA president has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, visiting the White House on multiple occasions and presenting him with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December. The trophy now sits in the Oval Office.
For now, it remains uncertain whether Infantino has already initiated contact with Donald Trump or how the administration will respond.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
