INGLEWOOD – The union representing thousands of hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium is threatening to strike at the 2026 FIFA World Cup games if federal officers are present.
Unite Here 11 represents 2,000 employees who outlined three key demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. They want a public guarantee that ICE and U.S. Border Patrol will have no role in the event, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality workers.
“FIFA and its corporate sponsors will pocket billions from Los Angeles while refusing to even acknowledge the cooks, servers, and stand attendants who make this event possible,” Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, said in a statement.
The union issued this statement after President Donald Trump threatened to deploy federal officers to Inglewood, where eight games are scheduled to be played.
States hosting the games have received $625 million in federal funds for security-related measures.
“We’re going to have to do something when it comes to World Cup time, and we’re going to have to force ourselves upon them, which we have the right to do because we don’t want to have any crime,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“We don’t want to have any problems for the Olympics and the World Cup,” he added.
California has received $58 million from FEMA’s FIFA World Cup Grant Program, with $18 million earmarked for transportation initiatives.
California was also awarded an additional $34 million from the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program to monitor drone activity.
Unite Local 11 is also concerned that artificial intelligence and automation will be used during the tournament to eliminate union jobs.
Dodger Stadium recently unveiled automated beverage dispensers that have eliminated some hospitality workers’ jobs.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts has not acknowledged whether he was aware of a security plan that involves federal officers, but did respond to questions on the matter.
“To my knowledge, ICE is not going to be a part of the federal matrix at this time — for the World Cup,” Mayor Butts said.
“I don’t pick fights with agencies that outnumber us 1,000 to 1,” said Butts. “I just let things keep rolling.”
Federal officers have been spotted conducting enforcement operations in various locations in Inglewood, including a car wash, Home Depot, and at a city construction site.