Can tourists be detained at the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is now just four days away, and while excitement is reaching fever pitch for football fans across the globe, there's also a growing sense of unease among many supporters travelling to North America.

Safety concerns have dominated the build‑up more than FIFA would have hoped, with worries ranging from firearms and drug‑related violence to the increased powers of ICE agents in the United States

With political tensions high and law‑enforcement activity under intense scrutiny, some overseas fans are asking a very real question – could they actually be detained during the tournament?

In this article, we take a clear, up‑to‑date look at the risks facing foreign supporters at the World Cup, including what could lead to detainment, how realistic the threat is, and what steps you can take to reduce that risk as much as possible.

FootballGroundGuide take a look below.

World Cup 2026 safety: Could foreign fans be detained?

The sad reality ahead of the 2026 World Cup is that, yes, foreign fans could end up being detained. Ever since Donald Trump won the 2024 US Presidential election, efforts to deport undocumented immigrants in the USA have ramped up.

Trump has given more power to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) in this regard. Agents have been tasked with rounding up illegal immigrants and deporting them, which has led to ugly and tragic scenes across the country.

The idea of foreign supporters being mis-profiled and detained by ICE cannot be ruled out. After all, it was not that long ago that two US nationals were shot dead by ICE agents in Minneapolis.

The situation has only grown more alarming as the tournament approaches. A report published just days before kick-off by the Human Rights Soccer Alliance documented 17 cases involving football players, coaches, parents and supporters who had been detained or deported since January 2025 – many while travelling to matches or attending football events.

One asylum seeker who attended the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey with his children was detained for a minor offence, handed over to ICE, locked up for months and deported, while his children watched him taken away in handcuffs.

Amnesty International has also warned that even a valid visa or ESTA does not guarantee entry into the US, with border officers holding broad discretion to admit, detain or deny entry to any non-US national. With the tournament now four days away, the risks for travelling fans have never felt more real.

There is also Trump's travel ban, which has seen individuals from 75 countries handed either restrictions or outright bans on travelling to the USA. If any fans from these countries are found in the USA during the World Cup, then they could also quite easily be detained.

I really don’t know how anyone in their right mind could even consider going over to the World Cup next year for the games in the USA, one of the most unsafe and unpredictable places in the world right now never mind the expense.

— Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) January 9, 2026

How to avoid detainment

The best way to avoid detainment is to, first of all, only travel to the USA for the World Cup if you are legally allowed to do so. If you end up in the country illegally, then you are increasing your chances of detainment tenfold.

Unfortunately, those who are travelling legally also face the risk of detainment. These supporters should ensure that they have important travel documents, such as passports and visas, with them at all times. If you have these and they are valid, then you should be okay.

Finally, don't do anything stupid. Bad behaviour is likely to result in law enforcement getting involved, which comes with a risk of detainment attached.

What to do if you are detained

If you do find yourself detained, then it's important to remember that everybody in the USA has the right to counsel (a lawyer). Before agreeing to anything with law enforcement, make sure you act on these rights and speak to a lawyer, even if it's a free one appointed by the court.

Also, don't try to antagonise any federal agents. The police have a reputation for being heavy-handed in the USA, so try to stay in their good books as best you can.