SoFi Stadium workers fear ICE risk from FIFA World Cup accreditation

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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A union that includes nearly 2,000 SoFi Stadium workers filed a complaint with the California attorney general, saying they could be at risk of being targeted by ICE because of FIFA’s accreditation process.

SoFi Stadium is one of 11 venues in the United States to host World Cup games this summer, but members of the UNITE HERE Local 11 union fear FIFA’s process violates their rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

According to the complaint, workers were required to share their social security number, nationality, address and country of birth via The Athletic. They were also required to consent to the “collection, use and disclosure” of their “personal data, including any sensitive personal data, as described in (FIFA’s) Privacy Statement.”

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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)

The complaint also says workers were required to consent to their information being shared with “local, regional and/or federal authorities or a third party for the purpose of conducting a security background check.”

According to The Athletic, the complaint has called on FIFA to publicly ensure that ICE will not be present at World Cup venues throughout the tournament. The FBI has said the Department of Homeland Security would be a “key partner” in the accreditation process.

Protesters hold “Kick ICE Out” signs on an inflatable rat outside SoFi Stadium during a demonstration against ICE at the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles Office on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled at SoFi Stadium this summer. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

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The process “has put stadium workers in an impossible bind of having to choose between their livelihood and their right to privacy under California law.”

“FIFA is now bringing the very workers in the United States that make the World Cup possible,” the complaint says.

“FIFA’s accreditation process runs counter to California’s law and its 2026 slogan that ‘Football unites the world’. Stadium workers are the backbone of the World Cup experience for fans – proudly preparing food, serving drinks and cleaning the stadium.”

It remains to be seen what ICE’s presence will be at World Cup matches, but acting director Todd Lyons said it would play a “key role” in ensuring security during the tournament.