Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said federal agencies would crack down on counterfeit goods and human trafficking.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has outlined Immigration and Customs Enforcement's planned role in security operations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the tournament faces signs of“Now what a lot of people don't think about when they start talking about World Cup is what about the counterfeit products that come in or the human trafficking?
When you have crowds this big, criminal activities follow,” Mullin said. He added that ICE and its investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations , would work “every day” during the tournament alongside Customs and Border Protection to address illicit activity. Mullins remarks offer an early glimpse of how federal immigration agencies will respond to the 2026 soccer World Cup, during the Trump administrations mass deportation drive.
The event, hosted by the U.S, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to draw millions of visitors in one of the largest sporting events ever staged. Federal officials have previously said ICE’s involvement will primarily center on intelligence, coordination, and investigations into transnational crime, rather than routine immigration enforcement.
Mullin has also sought to reassure the public about the agency’s role, telling CBS News on May 13 that ICE agents are “not there to go round up mass individuals,” although he acknowledged that enforcement actions could still occur if agents encounter individuals involved in criminal activity or violations of U.S. law. Despite the World Cup’s scale, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America, thousands of tickets remain unsold for several games, including fixtures in the United States.
Stadiums could see empty seats during the early stages of the tournament, with group-stage matches still showing significant availability just weeks before the June 11 opening match. Resale prices have also declined, with at least one match listed for under $100, a shift analysts say reflects underwhelming demand at current price levels. Experts have attributed the sluggish sales in part to high ticket prices and distribution strategies that have limited affordability for many fans.
U.S. travel and immigration policies have come under increased scrutiny ahead of the tournament. The Trump administration says it has approved more than five million applications through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization , a move that could help drive visitor numbers from visa-waiver countries.
However, the uptick follows months of concern from tourism and industry groups, which warn that tougher immigration enforcement and travel restrictions targeting other nations may still deter some international fans from making the trip. , "DHS will work with our local and federal partners to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup…as we do with every major sporting event, while showcasing American greatness to the entire world.
"the role of ICE agents during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, however the legislation is unlikely to pass in the GOP controlled Congress. DHS has emerged from a partial federal government shutdown after lawmakers passed a stopgap funding measure to restore operations across the department. The lapse briefly affected several DHS components amid the budget dispute in Congress over immigration and border security funding. Operations have since returned to normal.
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