A little-known FIFA rule will block players from protesting against ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) or displaying other political or religious messages during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place across the US, Mexico, and Canada, concerns have already been raised about the potential presence of ICE officers near or even inside stadiums.
ICE enforces immigration laws in the US and conducts investigations into undocumented immigration.
However, the Department of Homeland Security, which ICE falls under, has been subject to criticism in recent weeks after two US citizens – Alex Pretti and Nicole Renee Good – were shot dead by agents in Minneapolis in January.
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The Trump administration’s foreign policy is also subject to debate, with some suggesting World Cup nations may boycott the tournament. Although a mass boycott remains unlikely at this stage.
Political controversy, though, is nothing new in the lead-up to and during the World Cup. During the 2022 World Cup, hosted by Qatar, FIFA threatened players with a booking for wearing the OneLove armbands.
Captains of seven different European nations were supposed to wear the armband to promote diversity and inclusion.
Germany’s starting XI then covered their mouths during a team photograph ahead of their group stage match with Japan.
Then-head coach Hansi Flick said the gesture aimed “to convey the message that FIFA is silencing” teams.
No formal action was taken by FIFA.
But what are the rules on political messaging for the 2026 World Cup, and could players and federations face punishments?
According to the 2026 FIFA World Cup regulations, displaying political, religious or personal messages is strictly prohibited by world football’s governing body, whether the action is made before, during or after a match. The same rule applies to press conferences, training sessions and any official activity organised by FIFA.
Will ICE be at World Cup matches?
The official answer remains unclear, but given the fact that local officials have suggested that agents will be at the upcoming Super Bowl, a precedent could soon be set.
Speaking to SPORTbible earlier this week, Professor Simon Chadwick, who has worked with FIFA and Barcelona among other global sporting organisations, suggested that ICE agents being present inside World Cup stadiums was a possibility.
Chadwick also suggested that stadiums could be emptier than usual as fans may be “concerned” about their “liberty”.
He explained: “One of the big issues is, if you go back to the Club World Cup last summer, for example, in Florida, there were local Hispanic people who were saying, ‘We're not going to Club World Cup games’ because it was announced that ICE agents would be in attendance at Club World Cup games.
“But what you've also got to keep in mind is that at the same time, not only might you get picked up by ICE, but you're also having to pay actually quite a lot of money for your tickets. So you add those two things together, and what do you get?
“Well, you get an American tournament for American people, right? So I think the stadiums will be full. I do believe that. And they'll be full of Americans. Because they're the ones who don't need to prove who they are and where they're from and whether they've got immigration issues. But they're also the people who've got the disposable incomes and are going to be best equipped to buy the tickets, which, as we know, are incredibly expensive.”
When directly asked whether he believes ICE agents will be present inside World Cup stadiums, Chadwick replied: “From my perspective, yes. Because I think what we now know is that the Trump administration's view of the world, certainly on American territory, is that they ultimately have jurisdiction over what happens.”
SPORTbible has contacted FIFA for comment
Topics: FIFA, Football, FIFA World Cup, Donald Trump
Luke Davies