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The acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told House lawmakers Tuesday that ICE officers will be deployed in American cities hosting matches during this summer’s World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the majority of games taking place in the United States. Host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco.
“ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations [HSI], is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,” acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said during a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee.
HSI, an investigative arm of ICE, handles criminal cases, including human trafficking, and routinely assists with security at major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and the Olympics.
Lyons’ remarks came in response to questions from Rep. Nellie Pou, a Democrat from New Jersey, who asked whether ICE would suspend enforcement operations during FIFA matches and related public events. Pou cautioned that fears of immigration enforcement could affect attendance and the nation’s reputation.
“We’re dedicated to securing that operation, and we’re dedicated to the security of all the participants as well as visitors,” Lyons said.
This year’s World Cup is expected to be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, including 78 in the United States. Organizers estimate that about 10 million visitors will travel to the 11 U.S. host cities.
Last May, during a meeting of the White House World Cup 2026 Task Force, President Donald Trump said the federal government would work to ensure the event runs smoothly.
“Every part of the U.S. government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit,” the president said.