A few minutes before the start of the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Argentina and Spainwhich will be played this Sunday, July 19 at the MetLife Stadiumin New Jersey, confirmation that agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) will be part of the security operation has generated concern among migrant communities, especially among undocumented people who reside around the stadium.
American and international media report that the fear centers on thousands of migrants avoiding attending the meeting or moving through public places, such as restaurants, transportation stations or the stadium itself, for fear of possible actions related to compliance with immigration laws.
It’s the final day of the World Cup.
As fans gather for the World Cup Final, @DHSgov is working alongside our federal, state, local, and international partners to help keep everyone safe.
Thank you to the law enforcement officers, first responders, and security personnel…
—Secretary Markwayne Mullin (@SecMullinDHS) July 19, 2026
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The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be “there every day” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a video message posted to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement X account, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said agents would be deployed throughout the tournament in an effort to crack down on “criminal activities.”
“Well, ICE and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) are going to be there every day, fighting counterfeit tickets, human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit goods,” Mullin said.
Translation of X
What will ICE do during the World Cup final?
According to information disseminated by US authorities and collected by different media, ICE will participate in the security device with functions focused mainly on preventing and combating crimes associated with mass events, including:
- Marketing of counterfeit merchandise.
- Other criminal investigations coordinated with federal agencies.
In the days before the start of the World Cup, US officials confirmed that ICE would be part of the security operation, although they emphasized that their main role would be aimed at protecting the event.
In addition to ICE, the federal deployment includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As explained by the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullinin a video published on the social network X, these agencies would work throughout the tournament to combat illicit activities that usually increase during large sporting events.
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In an interview with CBS NewsMullin indicated that the presence of ICE at the World Cup responds to the usual functions that the agency performs in large events held in the United States and does not constitute an extraordinary operation.
Were there immigration raids during the World Cup?
An analysis published by the media Political points out that many of the fears expressed before the start of the championship about possible immigration operations visible in the stadiums never came true.
According to that medium, as the tournament progressed, ICE maintained a low profile at the World Cup venues and concentrated much of its work on investigations related to product counterfeiting, human trafficking and other crimes.
The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will be “out there every day” during the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In a video message published to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement X account, DHS… pic.twitter.com/I8ptQ60yMM
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 21, 2026
Even the Democratic congresswoman Nellie Pouwhose district includes MetLife Stadium, said it received no relevant reports of incidents related to ICE actions during games, which it considered a positive sign.
Argentina and Spain seek to make history
The final between Argentina and Spain will start at 13 hours from Guatemala this Sunday, July 19, and will define the champion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
If Argentina wins the title, it will achieve a historic event by becoming the first team to win two consecutive World Cups and will reach his fourth starwhich would equal Germany in number of titles.
For its part, if Spain wins the final, it will be awarded its second starafter the one achieved in South Africa 2010.