ICE will 'be out there every day' during World Cup, DHS chief says

Countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026

LiveNOW's Josh Breslow previews the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup task force.  

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and investigators from the Department of Homeland Security will "be out there every day" during the World Cup, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Wednesday. 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Here’s what to know about security and immigration enforcement as final preparations are underway: 

ICE, Homeland Security at World Cup

What we know:

Mullin said ICE agents and Homeland Security investigators will be focused on human trafficking, drug smuggling, and counterfeit tickets and merchandise. 

What they're saying:

"When you have crowds this big, criminal activities follow," Mullin said in a video shared on X. "ICE and HSI are going to be out there every day."

RELATED: World Cup and America 250 has TSA bracing for a busy summer

Todd Lyons, ICE’s acting director, has said the agency will be part of the broader security effort for the tournament.  

FILE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport on March 24, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

"ICE, specifically homeland security investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup," Lyons told a House panel recently, according to The Athletic. "We’re dedicated to securing that operation and to ensuring the safety of all participants and visitors."

What we don't know:

ICE officials said they will be focused on public safety, not broad immigration sweeps, but it’s unclear whether ICE agents will avoid all immigration enforcement during the event. Mullin did say that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will also be involved in World Cup security operations. 

READ MORE: Tubi launches World Cup content hub

The other side:

Advocacy groups argue that visible ICE activity can create fear among undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families, even when no enforcement is planned. 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup winner's trophy is seen on stage at the 2026 World Cup halftime show announcement during the Global Citizen and FIFA World Cup panel at the Global Citizen NOW event in New York City on May 14, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU

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World Cup bookings are below expectations

Dig deeper:

With the world's most watched sporting event just weeks away, room bookings have been lighter than expected in most of the 11 U.S. cities hosting matches, according to an April survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

READ MORE: Texas' economic forecast weakens as international hotel bookings lag ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The business behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup could bring upwards of $8 billion of revenue to host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Former MLS executive and current sports management professor at George Washington University Scott Rezendes joined Adam Llorens on LiveNOW from FOX to offer his perspective on the business side of the World Cup.

In several cities, including Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, a majority of hotel operators said bookings were actually running behind typical seasonal demand. In others, including New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, demand was flat so far compared with a regular spring and summer, according to the association.

RELATED: FIFA World Cup ticket prices dropping, good news for soccer fans

The hotel association blamed travel concerns from international fans, worries about wait times for a U.S. visa and the cost of attending the tournament — including high ticket prices and transit costs in some cities— as major factors in the softer-than-expected demand.