USA’s World Cup opener thrown into disarray as $5.5bn stadium rocked by threat of workers’ mass walkout
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is at serious risk of disruption.
This comes as hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, who are set to host eight games during the World Cup, have voted to stage a strike just days before the expanded 48-team tournament gets underway.
The $5.5 billion venue, which will be known simply as Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup due to FIFA‘s licensing regulations, is primarily the home of NFL teams Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the vote to enforce strike action at the stadium was ‘overwhelming’, with a reported 2,000 stadium workers, from dishwashers and servers to bartenders and cooks, voting in favor.
The strike could yet occur during the first match it hosts, which is between Paraguay and co-hosts United States on Friday, June 12.
“The stoppage, authorized by 96% of voting members, could occur at any time, though union officials made it clear that the U.S. national team’s opening World Cup match against Paraguay on June 12 would be an opportune moment,” the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
“If workers walk off the job, soccer fans who paid thousands of dollars to attend the match might have a hard time getting refreshments.
“FIFA, soccer’s governing body, has recommended fans arrive three hours early for matches at the stadium, located just outside L.A., which suffers from difficult parking and chaotic road access.”
Why are stadium workers threatening strike action?
Workers are threatening a mass walkout related to better pay and protections from subcontracting and potential federal immigration raids.
This comes in light of the news earlier this week from Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who was informed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that federal authorities would be present at matches to assist with security.
He further insisted that they would not be there for civil immigration enforcement.
“What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don’t earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?” Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, said.
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“If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.”
Los Angeles Stadium workers aren’t the only host city who are calling for a halt on U.S. immigration enforcement during the tournament, with Atlanta and Miami both having been vocal over the matter.
Legends Global, who handle and operate all of the concessions at SoFi Stadium, strongly believe that they can reach an agreement with the union through contract negotiations.
“We look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.
Bartender Cesar Zamora, who is a lifetime football fan and works at SoFi, spoke out about the possibility of strike action.
“The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,” he said in a statement. “We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.”
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa taking place at the Mexico City Stadium.
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