As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticks down to just a couple of months, the spotlight around SoFi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers and slated to host eight matches, has started to dim. Beneath the anticipation, tension has been quietly building, and last week it surfaced when UNITE HERE Local 11, representing roughly 2,000 stadium workers from cooks to servers to bartenders, warned that a strike could be on the table.

The concern centered on the reported presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the stadium ahead of the tournament. Now, The Athletic reports that the union has filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing multiple parties of failing to restrict ICE access.

The complaint, filed Thursday, names several organizations: FIFA (the organizers), Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (stadium owners), Legends Hospitality (which operates it), and On Location (hospitality provider). It also references high-profile figures, including the Rams owner, Stanley Kroenke, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

According to the filing, these parties have engaged in unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act. Specifically, it claims that within the past six months, Legends, KSE, and On Location violated the Act by “refusing to commit to restricting facility access by officers from ICE in anticipation of FIFA World Cup events.”

Workers, per the complaint, are concerned that ICE’s presence during the event could create fear among both employees and fans. Union co-president Kurt Petersen said:

“We had a white worker, a black worker, a brown worker all say this is bad for all of us, and we’re standing together and we’re not going to tolerate having ICE in our stadium. One said, ‘It’s not just us; it’s also our guests and clients.’ It’s people coming to the games. People are nervous. Our members are saying, ‘We’re not going to work if ICE are around, because they could scoop us up.'”

The complaint further alleges that the employers have created a workplace environment where employees fear that engaging in protected activities such as union organizing could expose them to intimidation or harm involving ICE, thereby limiting their rights under Section 7 of the Act.

Now, the union has requested an emergency injunction to require all parties involved to restrict ICE access at SoFi Stadium during the World Cup, arguing it is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to workers’ organizing rights.

Further, Petersen also stated that the union wants the National Labor Relations Board to seek a federal court injunction in Los Angeles to compel both employers and FIFA to implement a policy limiting ICE presence on the property. As of now, the National Labor Relations Board has not responded to requests for comment.

The union has also sent a letter to employers across Los Angeles stating that if ICE agents appear at workplaces such as stadiums, hotels, or airports, workers may refuse to work, citing unsafe and poor working conditions. Amid the growing safety concerns, the Union’s complaint has added another layer, as the World Cup is now less than two months away.

Meanwhile, the stadium has already kicked off the preparations for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup.

SoFi Stadium kicks off pitch construction for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Amid the growing tension surrounding worker safety at SoFi Stadium, FIFA officials have considered asking Gianni Infantino to personally speak with President Donald Trump about temporarily pausing immigration raids by ICE across the United States during the World Cup this summer.

While that possibility remains uncertain, preparations at SoFi Stadium are already underway. Reports indicate that crews are making significant modifications to the 3.1 million-square-foot venue to meet World Cup standards, including installing a world-class pitch.

For context, SoFi Stadium typically uses artificial turf for the NFL games. For the World Cup, crews will cover that surface with natural grass brought in specifically for the tournament. Rick Solomon of Clark Construction Group told NBCLA that around 74,000 square feet of real grass will be installed over the hybrid base, designed to continue growing up to the opening match.

Field dimensions are also being adjusted. An NFL field is about 54 yards wide, while FIFA requires a width of 68 meters, roughly 74 yards. To accommodate that, crews have reportedly removed more than 400 corner seats, creating additional space for the expanded field.

As it stands, SoFi Stadium will host eight matches. The stadium’s schedule includes five group-stage games, two Round of 32 fixtures, and a quarterfinal. Preparations for the tournament continue to move forward, though concerns around worker safety remain a key issue for now.