Trump’s World Cup legacy? Fans keep telling ICE to ‘f*ck off’!
The tournament has repeatedly become a platform for pr0otests against Trump's immigration policies. In city after city, one message has echoed around the World Cup: ICE out.
A Trump World Cup Chaos Tracker has documented the controversies surrounding this year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, where President Donald Trump has been accused of attempting to use football to ‘sportswash”’ his political image.
One issue which has appeared repeatedly throughout the tournament is opposition to the controversial US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, better known as ICE. Across the host cities, fans, activists and community groups have used the World Cup’s global spotlight to protest Trump’s hard-line immigration enforcement and warn against its presence at tournament events.
“NO ICE IN WORLD CUP” banner hung over Florida highway
In Riviera Beach, Florida, activists hung a banner reading “NO ICE IN WORLD CUP” over a highway just days after another banner in the same location declared “REMOVE TRUMP.”
The demonstration came amid growing concern that immigration enforcement could overshadow the tournament.
Tournament organisers sought to reassure supporters. Miami World Cup host committee chairman Rodney Barreto dismissed fears that ICE would target fans, telling The Athletic: “ICE is not going to be at the stadium. This is not going to turn into some ’round them up’ type of thing.”
“F*ck ICE” foam fingers appear in fan zones
Anti-ICE slogans have reportedly become a familiar sight in fan zones, with supporters waving “F*ck ICE” foam fingers while watching matches on giant screens.
Ahead of Atlanta’s third World Cup fixture, police removed a protester carrying a striking installation depicting an ICE officer and a child in chains.
England’s team plane linked to ICE deportation flights
The controversy has even extended to participating teams. As the Mirror reported, England’s team plane had previously been used by ICE during Trump’s immigration crackdown, prompting criticism over the arrangement.
“ICE out of the World Cup” protests in Arlington
In Arlington, Texas, protesters gathered outside the city’s opening World Cup match, chanting “ICE out of the World Cup.”
Organiser Majumdar said the demonstration was intended to show visitors and residents alike that many locals rejected ICE’s presence at both the tournament and across North Texas.
“We don’t need ICE. We’ve seen how repressive they’ve been to people,” Majumdar said.
Philadelphia’s growing “ICE Out” movement
Philadelphia has become another focal point of the “ICE Out” campaign, with activists using the World Cup to amplify calls for stronger protections for immigrants and visitors.
Their efforts have coincided with city measures aimed at limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Seattle rally demands “ICE OUT NOW”
In Seattle, demonstrators gathered for a rally featuring speeches and protest songs, while one participant waved an oversized banner reading “ICE OUT NOW.”
MetLife Stadium protests target immigration detention
Outside MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, an anti-ICE coalition staged demonstrations on highway overpasses surrounding the venue during World Cup matches, highlighting the treatment of immigration detainees.
Host cities prepared for ICE operations
The activism has extended beyond street protests.
Ahead of the tournament, immigrant rights organisations across all 11 US host cities mobilised to prepare communities for potential immigration enforcement.
In Los Angeles, a labour union representing more than 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium warned it could strike if ICE agents appeared at the venue during the tournament.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, civil rights organisation El Movimiento DFW distributed hundreds of whistle kits containing legal rights information and details of free immigration attorney consultations to churches, businesses and apartment complexes, preparing residents in case ICE operations took place near World Cup matches.
The tournament has repeatedly become a platform for protests against Trump’s immigration policies. In city after city, one message has echoed around the World Cup: ICE out.
Left Foot Forward doesn't have the backing of big business or billionaires. We rely on the kind and generous support of ordinary people like you.
You can support hard-hitting journalism that holds the right to account, provides a forum for debate among progressives, and covers the stories the rest of the media ignore. Donate today.
Donate today
