By Peter Omopo
FIFA is facing growing scrutiny over its security arrangements for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, amid rising concerns from supporter groups about policing methods, immigration enforcement and a lack of clear information for travelling fans.
According to a report by BBC Sport on Friday, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said it is “extremely concerned” about what it described as the increasing militarisation of law enforcement in the US ahead of the tournament.
The concerns follow recent fatal incidents involving federal agents during immigration operations, as well as uncertainty over whether activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could take place at or around World Cup venues.
FSE Executive Director, Ronan Evain, said fans planning to attend the tournament have little clarity on what to expect.
“At this stage, travelling 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.
He added that the group is troubled by what it sees as the absence of a clearly communicated security framework from FIFA, including uncertainty over stadium regulations, the roles of different law enforcement agencies, and reports that international police “spotters” have not yet been invited—an omission he described as unprecedented in modern World Cup history.
In response, FIFA said the safety and security of fans and participants remain its top priority. The world football governing body stated that it is working closely with US authorities, host cities and international partners to plan and deliver comprehensive security measures for the tournament.
FIFA explained that the US government would invite participating nations, host cities and host countries to deploy law enforcement representatives to the International Police Cooperation Center near Washington, DC, to ensure effective international coordination. It added that some host cities may also invite international police spotters to operate locally.
The organisation said a Code of Conduct outlining permitted items and behaviour inside stadiums would be published online, in line with previous tournaments. FIFA also noted that it has presented its safety and security concept on several occasions and cited the successful hosting of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the US as evidence of effective security planning.
The debate comes amid heightened immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has deployed federal agents and National Guard units to several major US cities, triggering protests and legal challenges.
A special task force overseeing World Cup preparations said in a statement that the tournament would be “the largest, safest, and most welcoming sporting event in history,” stressing close cooperation between FIFA, US federal agencies, state governments and host cities.
Meanwhile, the UK Football Policing Unit said no final decision has been made on whether British police spotters will attend matches. The European Democratic Party has also warned it may urge national football federations to consider withdrawing from the tournament if adequate safety guarantees are not provided.
As preparations continue, supporter groups are calling for greater transparency and clearer assurances to ensure the World Cup is safe and welcoming for fans from around the world.
