ICE Director Refuses to Commit to Pausing Operations for 2026 World Cup

Why It Matters

ICE’s decision signals that immigration enforcement will stay aggressive during a globally watched sporting event, potentially affecting tourism revenue and the United States’ image abroad. The stance also fuels political debate over balancing security with civil liberties at high‑profile venues.

Key Takeaways

• ICE director declines to pause operations for World Cup
• 10 million visitors expected across 11 U.S. host cities
• ICE arrested 379,000 last year, 8,400 gang/terror suspects
• Fan safety concerns spark boycott calls and political pressure

Pulse Analysis

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and security planning has become a focal point for both federal agencies and local authorities. While the Department of Homeland Security touts ICE as a "key part" of the protective framework, the agency’s recent record—highlighted by the Minneapolis operation that resulted in civilian deaths—has raised alarms among civil‑rights groups and international observers. Analysts note that large‑scale events historically prompt temporary adjustments to law‑enforcement tactics, yet ICE’s refusal to commit to a pause suggests a broader policy shift toward sustained immigration enforcement, regardless of venue.

Economic stakes are equally high. Host‑city officials project billions in tourism revenue, relying on a perception of safety to attract fans from around the world. However, reports that ICE continues aggressive raids could deter visitors, especially those wary of potential wrongful detentions. The resulting uncertainty may pressure sponsors, broadcasters, and even FIFA to reconsider venue security protocols. In past tournaments, such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, security concerns directly impacted ticket sales and hospitality bookings, underscoring the tangible financial implications of perceived over‑policing.

Politically, the hearing underscores a growing partisan divide over immigration policy and its intersection with soft‑power events. Democrats on the committee framed the issue as a matter of civil liberties and international reputation, while Republican officials emphasized national security and the logistical challenges of protecting millions of attendees. This clash may influence upcoming legislative proposals, potentially shaping future guidelines for federal agency involvement in major sporting events. For businesses and investors, understanding how ICE’s stance could affect crowd management, insurance costs, and brand perception is essential as the World Cup approaches.

ICE director refuses to commit to pausing operations for 2026 World Cup

Acting director Todd Lyons called ICE ‘key’ to security · 2026 World Cup takes place this summer in 11 US cities · By Alexander Abnos · Tue 10 Feb 2026 16:33 EST (last modified Tue 10 Feb 2026 21:51 EST)

Todd Lyons testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing. Photograph: Andrew Caballero‑Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

The acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told a congressional committee on Tuesday that his agency is a “key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup” and refused to commit to pausing operations near games at this summer’s tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted this summer by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 78 of the 104 games taking place in the US. Various entities have estimated that up to 10 million people could visit the 11 US host cities for the quadrennial tournament. However, ICE’s role in Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown – including an extended and widespread operation in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area in which two people were killed by federal agents – has raised serious concerns among fans.

Speaking before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Todd Lyons was testifying publicly for the first time since the deaths of those two Minnesotans, Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Towards the end of a hearing marked by verbal sparring with Democratic representatives, Lyons faced questioning from Representative Nellie Pou, who represents New Jersey’s ninth district. Pou’s district includes East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, the site of the World Cup final and seven other games, including England’s group‑stage finale v Panama.

After saying that visitors’ “confidence is plummeting and jeopardizing the World Cup”, Pou asked Lyons if ICE would commit to pausing operations around FIFA events.

“ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,” Lyons said. “We are dedicated to securing that operation and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors.”

Pou responded: “You realize that if [fans] feel they are going to be wrongfully incarcerated, wrongfully pulled out, that is going to hurt this entire process? I hope you realize that.”

Lyons responded by saying that “ICE is dedicated to ensuring everyone who visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.”

In his opening remarks, Lyons said ICE arrested 379,000 people in the last year, of whom 8,400 were known or suspected gang members or terrorists. Federal data has shown that the majority of people arrested by ICE do not have a criminal history.

The actions of ICE, along with other US foreign‑policy moves, have resulted in limited calls for a boycott of the tournament.

As early as last year, World Cup host‑city CEOs expressed concern about the “uncertainty” they said would arise from Trump’s immigration crackdown.

ICE’s involvement in international sporting events has also been under the microscope at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Protests in Milan over the agency’s role at the Games have drawn thousands of participants.