Back to Headlines
Us News
Apr 11, 2026

Hospitality Workers Threaten SoFi Stadium World Cup Strike Over ICE Presence and Housing Concerns

AI Summary
Around 2,000 hospitality staff at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium have warned of a strike during the 2026 World Cup unless FIFA addresses alleged unfair labor practices, the involvement of ICE, and the impact of short‑term rentals on affordable housing.

A hospitality union representing roughly 2,000 workers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium has issued an ultimatum to FIFA: improve working conditions and distance the tournament from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or face a strike during the World Cup.

The stadium is set to host eight World Cup matches this summer, drawing an estimated 150,000 additional out‑of‑town visitors to the city, a significant boost over typical tourism levels.

Unite Here Local 11 co‑president Kurt Petersen addressed a letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and stadium owner Stan Kroenke, demanding adherence to fair labor standards and a public declaration that ICE has no role in the event or the city.

In February, New Jersey Congresswoman Nellie Pou questioned ICE’s acting director Todd Lyons about pausing enforcement during the tournament, after two American citizens were fatally shot by immigration officers in Minnesota. Lyons responded that ICE, particularly its homeland security investigations, is “a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup.”

Petersen also singled out short‑term rental platform Airbnb, accusing it of worsening Los Angeles' affordable‑housing shortage. He urged FIFA to sever ties with the company and to contribute to a dedicated housing fund for stadium workers.

Airbnb recently launched a $750 incentive aimed at attracting first‑time hosts in North American cities hosting World Cup matches, a move the union says could further strain local housing markets.

“The world will be watching Los Angeles this summer. Billions of fans will see the city as FIFA intends to present it – welcoming, and alive with possibility. But behind every meal served and every drink poured will be workers who deserve more than promises. They deserve safe and fair working conditions and a community they can afford to live in,” Petersen wrote.