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SoFi Stadium workers fear ICE risk from FIFA World Cup accreditation

FIFA World Cup SoFi Stadium preparations

We head to SoFi to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the stadium is preparing for the World Cup, its set-up and scale, plus we talk to a SoFi Chef about the upcoming additions to the match menu

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A union that includes nearly 2,000 SoFi Stadium employees filed a complaint with the California attorney general’s office saying they may be at risk of being targeted by ICE because of FIFA’s accreditation process.

SoFi Stadium is one of 11 U.S. venues hosting World Cup matches this summer, but members of the UNITE HERE Local 11 union fear the FIFA process could violate their rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Through The Athletic, workers were forced to share their Social Security numbers, citizenship, address and country of birth, according to the complaint. They were also required to consent to the “collection, use and disclosure” of their “personal data, including sensitive personal data, as described in (FIFA’s) Privacy Notice.”

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SOFI stadium employees protest outside the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles office, calling for ICE to be banned from the World Cup on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled at SOFI stadium during the summer tournament. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

The complaint also states that employees must consent to their information being shared “with local, state, and/or federal government officials or third parties for the purpose of security background checks.”

According to The Athletic, the complaint called on FIFA to publicly ensure that ICE is absent from World Cup venues throughout the tournament. The FBI said the Department of Homeland Security will be a “key partner” in the accreditation process.

Protesters hold Kick ICE Out signs above an inflatable mouse in front of SoFi Stadium

Protesters hold “REMOVE THE ICE” signs on an inflatable mouse outside SoFi Stadium during a demonstration against ICE at the FIFA World Cup 26 Los Angeles Office on May 1, 2026. Eight World Cup matches are scheduled at SoFi Stadium this summer. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

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The process “left stadium workers faced with the impossible dilemma of having to choose between their livelihood and their right to privacy under California law.”

“FIFA is now endangering the workers who make the World Cup possible in the United States,” the complaint says.

“FIFA’s accreditation process violates California law and its 2026 slogan ‘Football Unites the World’. Stadium staff are the backbone of the World Cup experience for fans; they proudly prepare meals, serve drinks and clean the stadium.”

It is unknown what ICE’s presence at World Cup matches will be, but acting director Todd Lyons said it would play a “key role” in ensuring security during the tournament.