The Save the World Cup Act would prohibit the use of federal funds made available to the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice for civil immigration enforcement activities within one mile of any 2026 FIFA World Cup match or FIFA Fan Festival. The restriction would apply broadly to immigration-law enforcement actions, but it includes an exception for “exigent circumstances.”
The bill defines exigent circumstances to include imminent risk of death, violence, or physical harm; imminent national security threats; immediate arrest or hot pursuit of a person posing an imminent public-safety risk; and the imminent destruction of evidence material to an ongoing criminal case. In effect, the bill creates a temporary, event-specific buffer zone around World Cup venues and fan festivals where routine civil immigration enforcement would be barred.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would limit how DHS and DOJ may use appropriated federal funds for civil immigration enforcement near designated 2026 FIFA World Cup locations. It would not repeal immigration laws, but it would constrain enforcement operations in a defined geographic area and for a defined event period, while preserving authority for urgent public-safety, national-security, and criminal-investigation situations. The bill would primarily affect federal immigration enforcement agencies and could also affect local planning and coordination around World Cup security and crowd management.
Sentiment
The available context shows the bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of House members and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, but there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes provided. Based on the bill’s framing, it appears intended to balance immigration enforcement with concerns about public access and participation in a major international sporting event. Because no debate or vote history is included, there is no documented formal opposition or support in the provided materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the scope of the restriction on civil immigration enforcement near World Cup venues. Supporters would likely view the one-mile buffer as necessary to ensure attendance, safety, and community trust during a high-profile international event, while critics may argue it creates an enforcement-free zone that could hinder immigration operations or public safety. The exigent-circumstances exception is designed to address those concerns, but the bill still leaves room for disagreement over how broadly the restriction should apply and whether it could interfere with DHS and DOJ discretion.
Authorizes any person who is licensed or certified as a physician, physician's assistant, massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, nurse, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, podiatrist or athletic trainer by a foreign government or another state or territory to provide medical services during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 26.
Authorizes any person who is licensed or certified as a physician, physician's assistant, massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, dentist, optometrist, nurse, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, podiatrist or athletic trainer by a foreign government or another state or territory to provide medical services during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 26.