FIFA president Gianni Infantino faced a fierce backlash from football supporters on Friday after his opening address at the 2026 World Cup draw was accused of inadvertently assisting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
A Controversial Opening in Washington D.C.
The incident unfolded at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where the prestigious draw for the tournament, set for next summer, was taking place. The event attracted a host of sporting legends, including NFL icon Tom Brady and NBA great Shaquille O'Neal, alongside former US President Donald Trump.
To kick off proceedings, Infantino took to the stage and attempted to rally the crowd representing the three host nations. He called out: "Are there Americans here tonight? Let's hear you! Are there any Canadians? Any Mexicans in the room? Make some noise!"
While the intent was clearly to generate excitement, the phrasing immediately sparked confusion and alarm among viewers watching from home, given the current political climate surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.
Social Media Fury and ICE Fears
Fans swiftly took to social media platform X to voice their concerns, with many making darkly humorous connections to ICE. One supporter wrote: "Am I the only one who expected ICE to show up, when Infantino shouted 'Are there any Mexicans in the room'? #FIFAWorldCup2026."
Another commented: "Maybe not the smartest move from Gianni Infantino to ask 'Are there any Mexicans in the room?!' in front of Trump and his nearby ICE army." A third added: "When Gianni Infantino asked if there were Mexicans in the room, I 3/4 expected ICE to come out of the walls."
These reactions are rooted in genuine anxiety. Following a series of ICE raids across the country in recent months, some fans remain deeply concerned that the World Cup itself could become a target. A report by Daily Mail Sport in June revealed how ICE officers had been targeting amateur soccer matches, including a Sunday League game in Orlando where officials blocked the pitch entrance.
A Pattern of Troubling Incidents
There have been other alarming instances. At the final of the Club World Cup, held in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium—the same venue slated to host the 2026 World Cup final—an asylum seeker who took his children to watch Chelsea play Paris Saint-Germain was arrested and subsequently returned to his home country.
Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch, who uncovered the case, stated: "A father who loves soccer planned a special day with his children at a FIFA tournament, ended up detained for three months, and was then sent to a country where he said his life is at risk." She warned that immigration enforcement at major events could tear families apart.
No guarantees have been provided that World Cup matches will not be used for similar enforcement actions. An insider explained that the experience for overseas fans will vary drastically: "If you’re from England, or Germany, then you’ll love it... If you’re from, say, Curacao or Haiti, then you might think twice."
The controversy was further underscored when, shortly after his speech, Infantino presented Donald Trump with FIFA's inaugural Peace Prize. The draw itself proceeded on Saturday with the announcement of venues and dates for all 104 games, though Trump's prior threats to shift games were not taken seriously by organisers.
