WASHINGTON, D.C. — FIFA President Gianni Infantino is considering making a direct appeal to President Donald Trump for a nationwide moratorium on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids during the 2026 World Cup, which is set to begin June 11, 2026. FIFA executives approached Infantino with proposals aimed at reducing the likelihood of immigration enforcement actions at the upcoming matches, which the United States is cohosting with Canada and Mexico.

The proposed request would cover a full moratorium on ICE raids across the U.S. for the duration of the tournament. FIFA executives have presented the immigration moratorium as a potential public relations opportunity for the Trump administration, and they hoped Infantino would use his relationship with the president to address fans' immigration-related concerns.

In February, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons told a House committee that ICE would have a presence at the World Cup. Lyons declined to commit to pausing ICE operations at the matches when questioned about visitor concerns. "ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup," Lyons said. "We're dedicated to securing that operation, and we're dedicated to the security of all our participants as well as visitors."

During the 2025 Club World Cup in the U.S., FIFA received complaints that agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection were present at matches. The Trump administration denied conducting enforcement efforts during that tournament.

At a World Cup task force meeting in May, Vice President JD Vance estimated that visitors from hundreds of countries would be present at the tournament. "We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game," Vance said. "But when the time is up, they'll have to go home. Otherwise, they'll have to talk to Secretary Noem."

A White House spokesperson declined to discuss negotiations with FIFA leadership. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a separate statement: "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history of mankind, right here in the United States of America. This event will generate billions of dollars of economic impact and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to our country. The President is focused on making this the greatest World Cup ever while ensuring it is the safest and most secure in history."

Eleven U.S. cities are set to host World Cup matches, including Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. Infantino and Trump have frequently appeared together at public events, including a UFC fight in Miami. In December 2025, Infantino awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, and in February 2026, Infantino participated in a meeting of Trump's Board of Peace.