Fan group 'concerned' about ICE activity ahead of World Cup

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With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said it's increasingly concerned about federal law enforcement activity inside the United States.

The Trump administration has engaged in immigration crackdowns in several cities across the country over the past year.

The latest activity has taken place in Minnesota, where federal agents have killed two U.S. citizens over the past month. The violence has been a major worry for FSE, which told BBC Sport it is "extremely concerned by the ongoing militarization of police forces in the U.S."

According to Ronan Evain, executive director of FSE, FIFA has not provided sufficient security information for traveling fans.

"At this stage, traveling fans are left with little to no information as to what will be allowed or not at FIFA venues, or what to expect from the police elsewhere in the country," Evain said.

"There is no clarity as to what will be allowed in the stadiums, who will be deployed inside, which police forces will be working where.

"Reports that the U.S. has not yet invited visiting police delegations, or so-called spotters, which is unprecedented in the modern history of the tournament, only reinforce these concerns."

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Despite growing concerns about the fan safety at the World Cup, U.S. authorities have not ruled out the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at the tournament.

In response to the concerns, FIFA has reiterated that safety and security of fans and participants is its "top priority."

"The U.S. government will invite participating nations, host cities and host countries to deploy law enforcement representatives to the International Police Cooperation Center near Washington, D.C., ensuring close international coordination on safety and security matters," FIFA told BBC Sport.

"In addition, some host cities may invite international police spotters to integrate locally.

"FIFA values ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, including supporter organizations, and has presented its Safety and Security Concept on several occasions.

"FIFA is confident that these collective efforts will ensure a safe, secure and welcoming environment for everyone involved."

The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, and will take place between June 11 and July 19.