An Urgent Call For The Football World To Stand Up For Immigrant Communities Ahead Of The FIFA Club World Cup And Gold Cup

A Statement From Where Is Football

By Where Is Football

June 14^th, 2025

The heritage, history, and beauty of football was and continues to be built by immigrants. We urge all clubs, footballers, and especially FIFA and all footballing governing bodies to stand up and ensure the safety of everyone attending the Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup despite the plan of the U.S. government’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to have a presence at these tournaments. The intention to separate families and raid football-loving communities at stadiums is not only unacceptable, it goes against the very spirit of the game and must be stopped. Not before the World Cup arrives in the United States, right now.

For 15 years, Where Is Football has fostered an inclusive community connecting the world through the world’s game. We believe that it is not only a right for all fans to be able to attend matches and be a part of the game we all love without fear of persecution, it is more necessary than ever.

An Urgent Call For The Football World To Stand Up For Immigrant Communities Ahead Of The FIFA Club World Cup And Gold Cup

In an effort to provide resources and information to all fans attending these matches, we have also spoken with Thomas Kennedy, who works as a policy consultant for Florida Immigrant Coalition, an organization providing services and work to enact policies at the local, state, and federal levels that make the state a more welcoming place. We have also spoken with civil rights advocate and football travel expert Danny Navarro. You’ll find our conversation below.

What is currently happening with ICE in the US for global viewers? How does it overlap with the Club World Cup and Gold Cup?

Thomas Kennedy: ICE is currently conducting very hostile immigration enforcement, targeting worksites, people attending immigration court hearings, and homes. It is going way beyond targeting people with criminal convictions, and hundreds of thousands of people previously protected through different temporary statuses, like TPS or parole, are also being targeted for deportation as the administration revokes their protections. ICE has also said that any attendees at FIFA Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches should bring proof of legal status, which has caused a lot of fear and confusion.

What should fans traveling to the US for the Club World Cup and Gold Cup expect, and how should they prepare? How do you expect this activity to scale?

Thomas Kennedy: If you have proof of legal status, I would say to bring it. Anyone else should bring some form of identification, for example, a passport. If I didn’t have legal status, I would probably just avoid it altogether out of caution. It’s hard to say how this activity will scale. Checking the immigration status of attendees seems like a logistical nightmare. This is probably just a general directive on behalf of ICE, but we live in crazy times, so anything is possible.

Danny Navarro: Unfortunately, fans from abroad might get a rude awakening from the right-wing white supremacists policies that immigrant groups across the country are facing.

What has FIFA done to this point to protect fans? What does it need to do?

Danny Navarro: Nothing really. Infantino insists these personnel are there for security, but their public statements have given a very different, sinister impression. FIFA needs to realize that without our support and presence, the upcoming World Cup will be devoid of its most passionate fans.

Thomas Kennedy: FIFA has not done much to be honest, but requesting that ICE and CBP not be present at the matches is one thing, as other police agencies can handle security. Another option would be asking CBP and ICE to refrain from intimidating fans, whether from abroad or here, by asking them to bring proof of legal status.

What should fans expect and prepare for in Miami and Los Angeles for the opening Club World Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches?

Danny Navarro: Foreign fans are probably more used to the idea that they should carry alternate forms of ID when traveling. The problem is with local fans, who quite frankly have never been asked to show identification to enter a sports event. The possibilities for racial profiling are extremely high, as determining who’s a U.S. citizen and whose not will basically come down to who looks white and who doesn’t.

How else can the global football community stand up for fans everywhere and what is happening? How should participating clubs stand up for their fans?

Thomas Kennedy: I would say that the football community should write to FIFA, whether through email, social media, or wherever else, and make it clear to leadership there that they do not appreciate the fans being put in an uncomfortable and stressful position in regards to their well-being and safety at these games. The World Cup is obviously a global event that gathers people from all over the world in the spirit of sportsmanship and competition. Let's honor that by creating a welcoming environment.

Danny Navarro: The clubs and players of the CWC and Gold Cup should at the very least be promoting messages of unity, diversity, and equal treatment for all. Fans are paying attention to which of their local clubs are not speaking out against the ICE raids, which could have long-term ramifications in terms of financial & cultural support. The World Cup host cities in the United States cannot stand on the sidelines as the Latino continues to face these attacks by ICE. Without us, this World Cup is going to be soulless. You can’t replace our vibes with corporate sponsors and casual fans.

Footnotes

Now is not the time to be silent, and to stand up together for the communities in football who need our support the most. You can contact Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) and Danny Navarro (@travelfutbolfan) for more questions and direction to resources.