FIFA World Cup SoFi Stadium preparations
We head to SoFi for a behind-the-scenes look at how the stadium prepares for the World Cup, sets up and scales, plus we talk to a SoFi Chef about matchday menu additions
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Members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be manned in Los Angeles during the World Cup but will not actively detain foreign travelers, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week.
ICE’s presence at World Cup matches has been an ongoing discussion, particularly in Los Angeles, to the point that SoFi Stadium’s union workers issued a complaint to the California Attorney General stating that they could be at risk of being targeted by ICE due to FIFA’s accreditation process.
However, Luna said at a news conference that he was told by the head of Homeland Security in the Los Angeles region that “civilian immigration enforcement… would not be taking place at any of the games.”
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SOFI Stadium workers protest outside the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles office, calling for ICE to be banned from the World Cup on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled for SOFI Stadium during the summer tournament. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
“There will be federal agents … because it will take all of us to make sure that all the venues, the scoped and unscoped events, are safe,” Luna said, via Reuters. “But in terms of civilian immigration enforcement, they told us that specifically would not take place at any of the games.
“All of that can change, but I trust them to give me the relevant information because if that starts to happen, we’re going to have a whole new set of problems,” he added.
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is one of 16 stadiums selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 11 in the United States (Getty Images)
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ICE acting director Todd Lyons has said it would play a “key role” in ensuring security during the tournament, something Luna confirmed.
Luna also said “additional personnel” would be provided for Iran’s two matches at SoFi Stadium amid the war abroad.
“Iran brings a different dynamic because of current world events,” Luna said.
Iran’s first match is on June 15 against New Zealand – it will also play Belgium in LA six days later before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26 to close out the group stage.
Iran’s team players pose for a team photo before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers Group A third round match against Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on June 5, 2025. (Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto)
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Eight games will be played at SoFi Stadium, including the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12, which can be seen on FOX at 21.00 ET.
