SoFi Stadium Workers Demand ICE Ban for 2026 FIFA World Cup Amid Labor Concerns
FIFA World Cup 2026 — SoFi Stadium workers request ban of ICE from tournament, threaten strike otherwise
Sport Star The Hindu
Image: Sport Star The Hindu
Workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, represented by Unite Here Local 11, are demanding that FIFA prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from participating in the 2026 World Cup. They threaten to strike if their demands for job protections and affordable housing support are not met as the tournament approaches.
- 01Unite Here Local 11 represents 2,000 food service workers at SoFi Stadium.
- 02Workers demand a ban on ICE involvement during the World Cup.
- 03Concerns include job protections and affordable housing for hospitality workers.
- 04The union threatens to strike if their demands are ignored.
- 05Los Angeles will host eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, starting June 12.
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Unite Here Local 11, representing approximately 2,000 food service workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, has called for FIFA to ensure that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is excluded from World Cup operations. The union has warned of a potential strike if their demands are not addressed, which include a commitment to worker protections, support for affordable housing, and assurances against the use of artificial intelligence and automation that could threaten union jobs. The acting director of the Department of Homeland Security, Todd Lyons, indicated that ICE would play a significant role during the tournament, raising concerns among workers regarding safety. The union is advocating for broader housing support measures in the Los Angeles area, linking their labor demands to the high cost of living. Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, criticized FIFA and its corporate sponsors for profiting from the event while neglecting the workers who facilitate it. As the World Cup approaches, with the first match scheduled for June 12, 2026, the union claims it has been ignored in its attempts to engage with FIFA.
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If the workers strike, it could disrupt food service operations during the World Cup, affecting both attendees and the event's overall success.
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