SoFi Stadium Prepared for FIFA World Cup
We go to SoFi to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the stadium is being prepared for the World Cup, its configuration and scale, plus we talk to a SoFi chef about menu additions for the games.
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Members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be present 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 games has been an ongoing discussion, especially in Los Angeles, to the point that SoFi stadium union workers issued a complaint to California’s attorney general, claiming they could be at risk of being targeted by ICE due to FIFA’s accreditation process.
However, Luna said at a news conference that the head of Homeland Security for the Los Angeles region told him that “civil immigration enforcement … would not occur in any of the games.”
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SOFI Stadium workers protest outside the 26th FIFA World Cup office in Los Angeles calling for ICE to be banned from the World Cup on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are planned at SOFI Stadium during the summer tournament. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
“There will be federal agents… because it will be necessary for all of us to make sure that all the places, the events with and without scope, are safe,” Luna said, via Reuters. “But with respect to civil immigration enforcement, we were told that specifically would not happen in any of the games.
“That’s all subject to change, but I trust that they’re giving me the right information because if that 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 US. (Getty Images)
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ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons has said he will play a “key role” in ensuring security during the tournament, something Luna confirmed.
Luna also said “additional staff” 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 is June 15 against New Zealand; will also play Belgium in Los Angeles six days later before facing Egypt in Seattle on June 26 to close out group play.
Iran team players pose for a team photo before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Group A 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’ first game against Paraguay on June 12, which can be seen on FOX at 9 pm ET.
