Activists protest outside FIFA’s office demanding changes on worker’s verification of employment

Activists rallied inside and outside FIFA’s Los Angeles World Cup offices in downtown L.A. on Wednesday morning to demand changes to worker credentialing policies that could expose stadium workers during the World Cup games.

The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup first game in the U.S will be held on June 12 at the SoFi Stadium when the U.S. will play against Paraguay. 

The activists alleged FIFA's accreditation requirements for SoFi Stadium workers force employees to provide sensitive personal information. This includes Social Security account number, home address, nationality and country of birth, while waiving privacy protections under California law.

A couple of dozen advocates tried to enter the 18th floor of 633 W. 5th Street where FIFA’s offices are located. They were, however, prevented from doing so. Once they were led out Edgar Ortiz, of the California Immigrant Policy Center, said they want FIFA to stop endangering workers’ safety and instead seek for their welfare. 

“We were here today to deliver a letter from the community, workers and immigrants from across L.A. expressing our deep concern over the way World Cup games are going to be held and federal policies that the commissioners who are in this building are directly complicit with,” he said during a press conference outside of the building. 

The advocates are concerned the information could be shared with federal agencies, including ICE and  Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS has confirmed in the past that ICE will be present during the games to participate in targeted removal operations only. 

The delegation which attempted to enter FIFA offices “marks a new phase in the campaign to pressure FIFA to abandon its current accreditation system and publicly commit to protecting workers and community members from immigration enforcement tied to World Cup operations,'' organizers said.

FIFA did not respond to a request for comment, but in the past FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino has said that the organization's top priority is guaranteeing tournament security in Los Angeles.

ACLU’s complaint against FIFA

The rally follows a formal complaint filed by the ACLU of Southern California, UNITE HERE Local 11 and LAANE filed with the California Privacy Protection Agency and the California Department of Justice requesting an investigation into FIFA's accreditation process.

The coalition supporting the workers include members of UNITE HERE Local 11, CHIRLA, LAANE, CLUE, the Fair Games Coalition, the California Immigrant Policy Center, Nikkei Progressives and Jobs to Move America, 

Last week, gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer joined SoFi Stadium workers and labor advocates at a rally in Inglewood calling for federal officials to investigate FIFA security policies.

“Together with UNITE HERE, I am calling on FIFA and (stadium owner) Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to publicly commit that ICE will play no role in the 2026 World Cup, that workers will receive fair wages and safe working conditions and that organizers will help fund affordable workforce housing for the people who make these events possible,'' Steyer said.

Advocates also called on California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta to immediately investigate FIFA's accreditation process following a complaint filed earlier this month alleging the policy violates the California Consumer Privacy Act and constitutional privacy protections for workers.

With CNS information.