The FIFA World Cup is set to bring millions of fans to North America next year to watch their country compete for international soccer’s biggest prize.
But U.S. Vice President JD Vance had a warning for fans travelling to the United States next summer if they decide to overstay their welcome.
“I know we’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries, we want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game,” Vance said on Tuesday at a meeting of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem.”
Vance was referring to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has become the face of ICE — Immigration and Customs Enforcement – and its crackdown on illegal immigrants. Noem often has been seen joining ICE on raids as it detains people.
Noem also was at present at the World Cup meeting, where she said that 2 million foreign visitors are expected to come to the U.S. for the World Cup and that the handling of visitors’ documents to get into the country will “go smoothly.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also boasted about how the tournament would generate “tens of billions of dollars in economic activities for local businesses” and “thousands and thousands of jobs for American workers.”
Trump also touted that the event “will be the biggest, safest and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history.”
The United States is one of three host nations for the quadrennial event, along with Canada and Mexico. But the U.S. will host the majority of games – 78 out of the 104 total matches – and 11 of the 16 host cities are in America.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that he is excited for next summer’s event, which is set to run from June 11 to July 19 and will be the biggest World Cup yet, with the field expanded to 48 teams.
“America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun to celebrate the game, will be able to do that,” Infantino said.