World Cup
Strike Threat Looms Over USA-Paraguay World Cup Match at SoFi Stadium
By Kunle Solaja.
A labour dispute involving more than 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium has cast uncertainty over preparations for next week’s FIFA World Cup fixture between the United States and Paraguay, with employees voting overwhelmingly to authorise strike action.
According to Reuters, members of UNITE HERE Local 11 approved the strike authorisation on Friday, just days before SoFi Stadium hosts its first World Cup match on June 12, when the United States take on Paraguay in a Group Stage encounter.
The union, which primarily represents concession workers at the Los Angeles venue, said 96 per cent of its members voted in favour of authorising a strike. The workforce includes cashiers, cooks, bartenders, dishwashers, food attendants and other hospitality staff responsible for serving spectators during major events.
Reuters reported that the vote follows the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement between the union and stadium operator Legends Global. Several rounds of negotiations have failed to produce a new deal, although both sides are scheduled to return to the bargaining table on Monday, just three days before the USA-Paraguay clash.
While no strike date has been set, the union said workers could walk off the job at any moment if negotiations fail to address their concerns. A committee of workers would determine the timing of any industrial action.
The dispute threatens to affect operations at one of the tournament’s key venues. SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches, including two United States group-stage fixtures against Paraguay and Turkey, as well as three knockout-round games, including a quarter-final on July 10.
Reuters also cited concerns raised by the union regarding FIFA’s accreditation process. According to The Athletic, UNITE HERE Local 11 has informed FIFA that all stadium workers are required to undergo background checks before being cleared to work at World Cup venues. The union argued that any replacement workers brought in during a strike may not receive the necessary approvals in time.
In addition, the union has asked FIFA to ensure that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not permitted inside tournament venues. In a statement quoted by Reuters, the union said workers should have the right to leave their posts if immigration enforcement activities create concerns for their safety.
With the countdown to the United States’ opening World Cup match against Paraguay entering its final days, organisers will be hoping that ongoing negotiations can avert a strike and ensure smooth operations at one of the tournament’s busiest venues.
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Nine people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, days before the tournament is due to kick off.
Kansas City police said there were no suspects in custody and that at least three of the shooting victims were transported to local hospitals.
The incident occurred roughly four miles from where England are set to train at Swope Soccer Village. England have not arrived in Kansas City and are due to play a friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the FA declined to comment.
Gun violence is common in the United States, where there were more than 400 mass shootings in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
-Reuters
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Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman plans to use Monday’s friendly against Uzbekistan in New York as an opportunity for his first-choice line-up to have a proper dress rehearsal ahead of their opening World Cup clash against Japan next weekend.
The rest of the Dutch squad will then play a second unofficial game against the Uzbeks straight afterwards, made up of two 35-minute halves, Koeman announced on Sunday.
“We want to use the first match to make as few changes as possible. We have to wait and see if that works,” he said at a press conference ahead of the clash at the Ichan Stadium.
“We are going to play the first match largely with our starting team. It is also good for guys who are not 100% fit, who can then play in the second match. That is why we are playing two matches.
“We have 26 players, and everyone gets minutes to play. That’s what you want.”
A decision still needs to be made regarding defender Jurrien Timber, who only joined the squad last Thursday after playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30.
It was Timber’s first outing since March after struggling with a groin injury, and there remains concern over his levels of fitness.
“If he trains and is fully fit, he always makes a good impression. That hasn’t been the case every day, so we have to make a decision,” Koeman told reporters.
“He participated in training, and we are going to sit down with the doctor and Jurrien at the end of Sunday afternoon to see whether he is going to start or not,” the coach added.
The Dutch open their Group F campaign against Japan in Dallas on Sunday. Uzbekistan take on Colombia on June 17 in Group K.
-Reuters
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The Democratic Republic of Congo’s final World Cup warm-up fixture against Chile will take place behind closed doors in the French city of Orleans on Tuesday, a team spokesperson has confirmed.
The fixture had originally been scheduled for Cadiz in Spain, but the city’s mayor cancelled it due to concerns over the Ebola virus outbreak, opens new tab in the central African country.
The squad are preparing for the global finals in the Spanish city of Marbella, having completed a 10-day training camp in Belgium, where they played to a 0-0 draw with Denmark on Wednesday.
United States officials told players and officials they needed to have been outside the DRC for 21 days and symptom-free before they would be allowed to enter the country to participate in the World Cup.
None of the 26-player squad plies their trade in the DRC, as most play for clubs in Europe, while a handful of officials have travelled from the country to be in camp. All individuals are compliant, according to team officials.
After Spain, the Congolese team will travel to their World Cup base in Houston on Thursday. They open their Group K campaign against Portugal six days later, before facing Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23 and Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
As of Saturday, the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the country had increased to 488, including 86 deaths.
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