Los Angeles Stadium Workers Urge FIFA to Bar ICE from World Cup

Fears of ICE Presence at World Cup Venue

A workers’ union at the Los Angeles Stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches, has asked FIFA to keep United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents away from the venue to alleviate their fears. The union represents about 2,000 food service workers, including cooks, servers, and bartenders, who are without a labour contract as the World Cup approaches.

Main Demands to FIFA and Stadium Owner

The union, Unite Here Local 11, has laid out three main demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment: A public commitment that ICE and Border Patrol will play no role in the tournament, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality workers.

Concerns Over Worker and Guest Safety

Acting director of ICE, Todd Lyons, has said ICE would play a “key part” in the World Cup, a prospect the union said threatened worker and guest safety in Los Angeles. The union also wants assurances that artificial intelligence and automation will not be used during the tournament to eliminate union jobs.

Link to Broader Concerns Over Housing Costs

The union linked its labour demands to broader concerns over housing costs in the Los Angeles area, particularly in Inglewood, and called for support for a workforce housing fund, restrictions on short-term rentals, and tax measures aimed at funding affordable housing and immigrant family protections.

Union Frustration with FIFA and Corporate Sponsors

“FIFA and its corporate sponsors will pocket billions from Los Angeles while refusing to even acknowledge the cooks, servers, and stand attendants who make this event possible,” Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, said in a statement.

Repeated Requests for Meetings with FIFA

The union said it had repeatedly sought meetings with FIFA since Los Angeles was chosen as a host city, but had been ignored. The venue, known as the SoFi Stadium, has been rebranded to the Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup due to sponsor clashes.

First World Cup Match Scheduled for June 12

Los Angeles is set to host eight World Cup matches at the stadium, with the first being the US against Paraguay on June 12.