FIFA

South Florida agencies and federal officials are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with increased security measures, drone restrictions and coordination efforts ahead of the tournament's launch. Officials did not clarify confusion over whether ICE agents will be present at matches and looking for undocumented immigrants.

FIFA has always had a peculiar way to sell tickets to the World Cup. It never faced any major issues — until prices soared for the 2026 tournament.

Soccer — or football as it's known around the globe — was far from mainstream in the U.S. leading up to the 1994 World Cup. But in the end, the tournament was considered a resounding success. How exactly did that happen?

The outcry follows comments from Rodney Barreto, chair of the Miami FIFA World Cup Host Committee, who told The Athletic this week that Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured him that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were "not going to be at the stadium."'

"Dignity 2026 Coalition" representatives spoke to members of the press outside the Miami-Dade Host Committee to raise awareness of the threat that ICE and other law enforcement officials may pose to Florida communities.

Some fans in the U.S. and around the world are unhappy with World Cup ticket prices — and U.S. immigration policies. So they're deciding not to come, raising concerns across the travel industry.

“What we are seeing points to blatant violations and intentional efforts to circumvent the commitments and ethical processes that FIFA promised to South Florida taxpayers,” said South Florida AFL-CIO President Jeffrey Mitchell in a statement.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has "complete confidence" in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, and other local law enforcement officials are holding a news conference Friday afternoon in Miami to talk about their efforts to combat human trafficking.

A coalition of human rights organizations have issued a travel warning for tourists visiting Florida. The advisory comes ahead select FIFA World Cup games to be played in Miami Gardens.

The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.

Protesters want FIFA officials to protect World Cup attendees from "overzealous immigration enforcement" and to "reinvest [Miami-Dade County's] $46 million subsidy in the local community."