SoFi Stadium preparations for the FIFA World Cup
We go to SoFi for a behind-the-scenes look at how the stadium is preparing for the World Cup, its layout and scale, and we talk with a SoFi chef about menu additions for the games.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will be 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 the subject of ongoing debate, particularly in Los Angeles, to the point that unionized workers at SoFi Stadium filed a complaint with the California Attorney General, saying they were at risk of being targeted by ICE because of FIFA’s accreditation process.
However, Luna said at a news conference that the Los Angeles area’s head of Homeland Security told him that “civil immigration enforcement… would not take place at any of the games.”
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SOFI Stadium employees protest outside the Los Angeles office of FIFA World Cup 26 to demand a ban on ICE from the World Cup on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled at SOFI Stadium during the summer tournament. (Frédéric J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
“There will be federal agents…because we’re all going to have to make sure that all locations, covered and non-covered events, are secure,” Luna said, via Reuters. “But as far as civil immigration enforcement, they told us that specifically wouldn’t happen in any of the games.
“All of this is subject to change, but I trust that they’re giving me the appropriate information, because if this 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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Acting ICE director Todd Lyons said he would play a “key role” in ensuring security during the tournament, which 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 due to current world events,” Luna said.
Iran’s first match will be on June 15 against New Zealand. Iran will also face Belgium in Los Angeles six days later, before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26 to close out the group.
Players of the Iranian team pose for a team photo before the 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifying Group 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 United States’ opener against Paraguay on June 12, which can be watched on FOX at 9 p.m. ET.
