The acting head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told a congressional committee that the agency is "a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup" when asked if he would pause operations for this summer's tournament. Representative Nellie Pou - of New Jersey's ninth district, which includes the MetLife Stadium where the World Cup final will be played - asked Lyons, external if ICE would commit to pausing operations around matches and other Fifa events. She claimed that visitors' confidence was "plummeting and jeopardising the World Cup". Lyons responded by insisting that ICE was "dedicated to securing that operation, and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors." Last month fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) told BBC Sport it was "extremely concerned by the ongoing militarisation of police forces in the US" before this summer's World Cup in North America.

Source: BBC February 11, 2026 20:44 UTC