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For all of its tough talk regarding the implementation of its policies, the United States Government has bent to the will of FIFA after the international soccer organization reached out regarding ICE’s bloviation about being on the ground at the Club World Cup. After FIFA made contact, ICE deleted the post in question.
According to reports, FIFA — the global governing body for international soccer — contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the organization said on social media that it would be ‘suited and booted’ at the first round of Club World Cup games across the country.
The Athletic states that after FIFA — who reportedly spent over $50 million to market the tournament — made contact with ICE, the post was taken down off social media.
The Club World Cup has been a mixed bag so far in terms of fan attendance of quality of play on the pitch — Chelsea and LAFC played in a stadium that was less than 1/3 full on Monday, while Bayern Munich beat Auckland City FC by a score of 10-0 over the weekend.
“The challenge for FIFA increased in local markets amid confirmation that U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) officials may be present at Club World Cup games, while U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted on Facebook saying they would be suited and booted’ to provide security for the first round of games — only to then delete the post after senior personnel at FIFA contacted the organization to express concerns about the reaction it had provoked.” [via The Athletic]
While the 2025 Club World Cup features teams from all over the world, it’s been difficult to take seriously as a tournament as it lacks teams such as Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli, who were the winners of their respective domestic leagues this season.
The 32 teams that are participating in the Club World Cup, however, are as follows: Al Ahly, Al Ain, Al Hilal, Atletico Madrid, Auckland City FC, Borussia Dortmund, Botafago, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Monterrey, Pachuca, Flamengo, Chelsea, Esperance de Tunisie, Bayern Munich, Intr Milan, Salzburg, Fluminense, Inter Miami, Juventus, LAFC, Mamelodi Sundowns, Manchester City, Palmeiras, PSG, Real Madrid, Benfica, Seattle Sounders, Ulsan, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Wydad.