cross-posted from: https://feddit.online/c/worldcup/p/1609389/report-fifa-plans-to-ask-peace-prize-winner-if-he-would-maybe-consider-pausing-domestic
With just under two months until the start of the 2026 World Cup, it seems that FIFA executives have finally looked up at the horizon, seen the looming shitstorm, and are now scrambling to head it off. The Athletic reported on Tuesday that top FIFA heads have sought to convince Gianni Infantino to make a “president-to-president” appeal to Donald Trump and ask if he can find it in his heart of hearts to give his ICE jackboots a summer vacation.
Specifically, the idea FIFA wants Infantino to run by Trump is that there be a full moratorium on ICE activities in the United States for the 39-day duration of the World Cup. From The Athletic’s report:
“The Athletic has been told Infantino informed senior FIFA management he was receptive to this idea and he would seek to make a president-to-president ask of Trump to reduce ICE’s role during the tournament. […] It is not known at this stage whether Infantino has yet made the request, or if he will follow through on it, or indeed whether the White House would be prepared to countenance such a request regarding domestic policy in the United States from FIFA.”
We need to broadcast to the world that visiting the USA for the game is unsafe. Make it EXTREMELY clear that people should not come here. Show videos and pictures of ICE agents detaining people. Broadcast stories of legal immigrants being detained. I don’t have the heart to source the videos and articles now, but I think this is a spot where FIFA and MAGA could both be burned.
Major events like the World Cup are desired specifically as a source of international tourism; and without those tourists, they’re just a major financial hit.