FIFA World Cup 2026: US ICE Agents Won’t Carry Weapons or Execute Warrants on Canadian Soil, Agency Confirms

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 less than two months away, questions around the role of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents both inside the United States and across the border in Canada are drawing fresh scrutiny.

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 across host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Canada is set to host 13 matches split between Toronto and Vancouver.

ICE in Canada: A Limited, Unarmed Presence

While ICE agents have been increasingly active on American soil particularly since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025 their footprint in Canada operates under a fundamentally different mandate.

The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) branch, which falls under the broader ICE umbrella, works alongside Canadian authorities on joint operations targeting narcotics trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking. HSI personnel are stationed at the US Embassy in Ottawa and at consulates in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal the latter two cities being among the World Cup host venues.

However, the agency was categorical about the boundaries of its Canadian operations. “HSI special agents do not conduct operational activities in Canada, such as making arrests or executing search warrants,” a spokesperson told Canadian broadcaster CBC. “Our HSI agents do not carry firearms in Canada,” the spokesperson added in an emailed statement.

ICE’s Role in US World Cup Security

On American soil, the agency’s involvement is more direct. Todd Lyons, acting chief of ICE, confirmed during a congressional hearing in February that his agents will form part of the security apparatus for the tournament.

“We are dedicated to securing that operation, and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors,” Lyons told the hearing. “ICE is dedicated to ensuring that everyone that visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.”

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Security arrangements for the World Cup have already been complicated by geopolitical tensions, including concerns around the US-Iran situation, adding pressure on organizers and law enforcement agencies to clearly define their roles across all three host nations ahead of kickoff.