World Cup
FIFA Weighs Request to Trump Over ICE Raids During 2026 World Cup
Senior officials within FIFA are considering urging its president, Gianni Infantino, to formally ask Donald Trump for a nationwide suspension of immigration enforcement raids during the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
The proposal, discussed at high levels within FIFA in recent weeks, centres on concerns that ongoing operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could disrupt the tournament atmosphere and deter international fans from attending matches across host cities.
Security Concerns and Political Context
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, with ICE conducting large-scale raids in several American cities. According to data cited by The Washington Post, ICE made roughly 1,000 arrests daily in the six weeks following a high-profile incident in January, with 42 per cent of those detained reportedly having no criminal record.
The crackdown has sparked protests and, in some cases, violent confrontations, raising questions about the potential impact of such operations during a global sporting event expected to draw millions of visitors.
ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, previously indicated the agency would play a “key part” in World Cup security, primarily through Homeland Security investigations. However, labour unions and U.S. lawmakers have expressed fears that enforcement activities could extend to areas around stadiums and fan zones.
FIFA’s Internal Deliberations
According to sources familiar with the discussions, FIFA executives initially explored limiting ICE’s presence around match venues in the 11 designated U.S. host cities. However, the scope of the proposal expanded to include entire cities and eventually the full duration of the 39-day tournament across all host states.
Infantino is said to be open to making a direct appeal to Trump, leveraging what insiders describe as a close working relationship between the two leaders. The FIFA president has attended multiple events alongside Trump and recently established a FIFA office in Trump Tower in New York.
With public transit costs for getting to and from World Cup games repeatedly reaching or exceeding $100 each way, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is asking FIFA to help subsidise the expense.
According to The Athletic, train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., will top $100 for World Cup games. The standard fare for that route is $12.90.
“I won’t stick N.J. commuters with that tab for years to come, that’s not fair,” Sherrill posted on X. “FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let N.J. commuters be taken for one.”
The official train ticket cost has yet to be announced, but The Athletic reported that Sherrill, the local World Cup host committee and NJ Transit all declined to deny that it would be above $100.
Sherrill tweeted, “We have inherited an agreement in which FIFA doesn’t contribute a single dollar toward transportation for the World Cup. And while NJ Transit is left with a $48 million bill to safely transport 40,000 fans from the stadium to wherever they’re headed, FIFA is generating $11 billion from this World Cup.
“I’m not going to burden New Jersey taxpayers with that bill for years.”
A day earlier, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted, “The World Cup should be as affordable and accessible as possible. Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me.”
The backlash about New York’s transportation pricing comes in the wake of news regarding similar costs in Massachusetts. Train tickets from Boston to Foxborough, Mass., for World Cup games will cost $80, and bus rides will be priced at up to $95.
-Reuters
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Ghana have appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach, the country’s football association said on Monday, with the Portuguese set to make his fifth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Queiroz, 73, left his role as Oman coach last month after the side failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana were left without a coach 72 days before the World Cup kickoff after parting company with Otto Addo following friendly defeats by Austria and Germany in March.
“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association, working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA said in a statement.
Queiroz led Portugal to the round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup and later coached Iran at the last three editions of the tournament, recording three wins in 13 matches.
Born in Mozambique, the former goalkeeper has also held coaching positions with Egypt, Japan, Colombia, and South Africa, and previously led Portugal in the early 1990s.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, England and Panama
-Reuters
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Nike is investigating a design issue affecting several national team kits ahead of this year’s soccer World Cup, British media reported on Friday, after problems with the shirts became visible during last month’s international break.
Bulging around the shoulder seams was visible on shirts worn by teams including England, France and Uruguay during the international window.
International Friendly – England v Uruguay – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – March 27, 2026 England’s Cole Palmer reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo
A Nike spokesperson told The Guardian newspaper that the company had identified a “minor issue” with the kits, adding that performance was unaffected but the “overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.”
The issue is present on both match shirts worn by players and replica versions sold to supporters, according to the BBC, with some fans raising concerns.
The American sportswear giant produces kits for a number of World Cup teams, including co-hosts the United States and Canada, as well as Brazil, the Netherlands and Croatia.
The kits have been designed with cooling technology to help players cope with high temperatures expected at the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 and is also co-hosted by Mexico.
The issue comes as the struggling company faces questions over its product innovation and works through excess inventory after a string of weak earnings.
Chief Executive Elliott Hill has pledged to refocus Nike on core sports, and the company said on Friday it had appointed Andy Caine as chief innovation officer.
Nike did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
-Reuters
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