“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America. And we can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe.” This statement by US President Donald Trump stands prominently on the US governement’s official visa‑information page for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But the message of welcome contrasts sharply with the broader policy landscape in Trump’s second term. Immigration restrictions, intensified enforcement, and deportation raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have become defining elements of his administration.
“This is a difficult time in this country because a lot of things that are happening are extremely unusual,” says Daniel Kanstroom, professor of Boston College Law School. “We are seeing examples of ICE agents who appear to be overstepping their authority in some cases.”
The Trump administration has also tightened visa regulations, including broad suspensions affecting dozens of countries, in what Trump described as an effort to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries.”
The United States will host three-quarters of tournament’s total 104 matches, with the remainer taking place in Canada and Mexico. Against this backdrop, social media has erupted with claims that thousands of fans are canceling their tickets out of fear of immigration enforcement.
DW Fact check had a look at the viral claims.
Thousands canceling world cup tickets?
Claim: “Overnight 16,800 people cancelled their World Cup Tickets. This is commendable,” one userwrote on X a post viewed more than six million times. Another user claimedthat more than 25,000 people have canceled their tickets.
DW Fact check: Unproven
There are no official reports to support claims of mass cancellations. FIFA states that it received more than 500 million ticket applications during the latest random selection draw, while more than one million tickets have already been sold during the Visa presale phase.
When asked directly about cancellation claims, FIFA did not provide a specific comment and instead referred DW to its latest media release. The organization reiterates that tickets should only be purchased through its official platform, which includes a dedicated resale and exchange marketplace.
Could ICE arrest fans during the World Cup?
Public anxiety has grown as ICE — the federal agency that enforces immigration laws inside the United States — continued conducting large‑scale operations targeting undocumented migrants in recent months.
Several posts suggestthat ICE could also take actionagainst football fans in the US. They claim that ICE could identify, detain, or deport fans attending the tournament.
Kanstroom believes this is highly unlikely: “I do not expect ICE would be involved in this,” he told DW, adding that the administration would not want to signal that ICE agents are targeting fans who have legally been admitted into the country. The scenario of fans being jailed is, he says, “that seems to be extremely, extremely unlikely.”
During President Trump’s second term, ICE’s budget and enforcement authority have expanded significantly, making the agency a focal point of the administration’s migration crackdown.
ICE has also faced controversy; in Minneapolis, an ICE agent shot and killed a 37‑year‑old US citizen, prompting widespread protests and debate over federal enforcement practices.
According to information provided the US Department of Justice, security at major stadium events is led by local and state law enforcement, with federal agencies providing intelligence and coordination—not frontline enforcement.
Are Brazilian fans barred from entering the US?
Claim: “In the midst of the World Cup year, U.S. President Trump suspends visa issuance for 75 countries, including Brazil,” reportedthe Spanish‑language account Alerta News 24. The account has 2.6 million followers on X. Several otherposts also claimthat Brazilian fans will be unable to attend the World Cup.
DW Fact check: False
These claims are inaccurate. The Trump administration has paused immigration visa processing —which affects those seeking permanent residence—from 75 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and Egypt. Short-term visas for travel and business, known as B1/B2 visas, are not affected. Brazilian citizens can still apply for a tourist visa to attend the World Cup.
“Therefore, a Brazilian national for example can still interview for a tourist visa to the United States that would allow them to attend the World Cup,” said Eryne Hanlon, a US immigration lawyer based in London and New York.
The US Department of State has created a dedicated World Cup 2026 visa‑information page , where Brazilian applicants can findvisa instructions.
Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history, having won the tournament a record five times and participated in every edition so far. Brazil remains one of the top nations for ticket registrations, accordingto FIFA.
Fans from several countries, including Brazil, are required to have a valid US visitor visa (B1/B2) to travel to the US for the FIFA World Cup 26, accordingto the State Department’s website. Most Europeans can travel visa‑free under the ESTA Visa Waiver Program.
Trump earlier imposed a travel ban on 19 countries, which would bar fans from those nations from entering the US. These include four World Cup-participating countries: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast.
“Iranian fans who are solely Iranian nationals will not be able to attend,” Hanlon noted. “If they are dual nationals and their other nationality is not on the list, they can attend.”
Athletes, coaches, and essential tournament personnel are exempt from the ban.
Edited by: Silja Thoms, Rachel Baig
