• “Danger Zone” for Migrants and “Gator” Prison Sparks Fear

Just a few months ahead of the kickoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, tensions are rising in the U.S. state of Florida, after a broad coalition of human rights and migrant organizations issued a “stern warning” to international tourists, urging them to reconsider traveling to the state to attend World Cup matches.

Concerns over “racial profiling” and tourist detention

At a packed press conference held outside FIFA offices in the heart of Miami, rights groups expressed serious concern over Florida’s strict immigration laws.

The organizations highlighted notorious detention centers, particularly the prison known as “Gator Alcatraz,” warning that fans could end up behind bars merely due to suspicion about their legal status.

Yarleyz Méndez, coordinator of the American Friends Services Committee, said: “We urge visitors to think twice; what should be a football celebration could turn into a legal nightmare.”

Thomas Kennedy, spokesperson for the Florida Migrant Coalition, added that the goal is not to ruin the football festivities, but to protect fans from “harassment by immigration authorities,” who may engage in racial profiling against visitors from certain countries.

Trump-era policies under the spotlight

This escalation comes at a time when relations between FIFA and the U.S. administration have warmed, particularly after Gianni Infantino awarded President Donald Trump a “Peace Prize” last December.

Despite Infantino’s promises that “everyone is welcome,” on-the-ground reality suggests otherwise. Travel bans continue to affect fans, especially those from Iran and Haiti—which qualified for the World Cup for the first time in over half a century—without the clear exemptions granted to players.

Security uncertainties cloud Miami matches

Concerns were further heightened after Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, declined to guarantee that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids would not occur during the tournament. Giuliani stated that “the President does not rule out any measures that enhance citizen security,” leaving the possibility of raids near stadiums open.

South Florida is set to host seven World Cup matches, in a region known for its strict enforcement of immigration laws.

As a result, human rights organizations advised tourists to carry identification at all times and register their travel information with their home country consulates upon arrival in the U.S. to avoid any sudden legal complications.

This situation puts FIFA and the organizing committee in a difficult position. While the tournament seeks to promote the slogan “Football Unites the World,” local policies in Florida may instead draw lines of fear separating fans from the stands of their dreams.