Senior FIFA management have discussed with FIFA President Gianni Infantino the “possibility of him making a direct request to President Donald Trump for a full moratorium on ICE raids” across the U.S. during the World Cup this summer, according to Adam Crafton of THE ATHLETIC. The questions about ICE’s role in this World Cup have “stalked FIFA ever since Trump regained power.” ICE Acting Dir Todd Lyons previously said that the organization “would play a ‘key part’ in ensuring security during the World Cup.” He said that ICE’s primary role, as is common at sporting events, would “center on Homeland Security investigations,” but labor unions and members of the U.S. Congress have “raised concerns the involvement of ICE may extend to immigration-enforcement raids close to World Cup events.” Some of FIFA’s member federations, particularly European nations, also “privately relayed concerns to the global governing body from their fans about potential ICE activity during the tournament.” Infantino has “struck up a seemingly close bond with Trump,” which has led some senior execs within FIFA to believe that Infantino “may be able to use his friendship with Trump as leverage to secure key policy adjustments to ensure the World Cup runs smoothly” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/14).
SECURITY, TRANSIT: In S.F., Williams & Kroichick noted two federal agencies “will spend nearly” $60M to “underwrite World Cup matches at Levi’s Stadium,” as part of a $1B infusion the Trump administration has directed to U.S. cities hosting soccer’s marquee event. The grants, announced recently by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Transit Administration, are “intended to boost security and support mass transit for the six World Cup matches in Santa Clara,” records show. The announcements offer new insight into how tens of millions of dollars in costs for the tournament will be covered. The City Council will “hold a special meeting Tuesday night, and among the agenda items is a ‘status report on 2026 major events invoicing and reimbursements.’” That discussion is “expected to include the Super Bowl and World Cup” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/13).
KEEP EVERYONE SAFE: In K.C., Jack Harvel noted Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe said during a press conference on Monday that the Missouri National Guard “will activate 110 service members, mostly from the Missouri National Guard’s quick reaction force.” The team is a military police unit “trained to respond to civil disturbances.” The executive order says that the event “could bring as many as 650,000 visitors” to the K.C. metropolitan area from June 11 to July 19, though it is “unclear how accurate that estimate will be.” The estimate is “higher than all but four host cities, and more than double what Atlanta and Toronto are expecting.” K.C. Police Chief Stacey Graves said that the department “has been studying sites and fan behavior to build readiness for the event” (K.C. STAR, 4/13).
