As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws nearer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are preparing to secure matches in the United States, despite a majority of Americans not wanting them there, according to a new poll.

A Washington Post/University of Maryland poll released on Tuesday found that 65% of Americans oppose ICE officers patrolling U.S. stadiums during the tournament. This includes a whopping 92% of Democratic voters and 74% of independent voters.

However, 72% of Republican voters said they approved of the idea, according to the poll.

ICE officers patrolling the stadiums have been one of the most contentious issues leading up to the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across North America. The U.S. Men’s National Team is scheduled to play its first match against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Federal officials have said ICE’s presence at the matches will focus on security. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a social media post last month that the officers will be “fighting against the counterfeit tickets, human trafficking, drug smuggling, counterfeit products. They’re going to be working hand-in-hand with CBP along the way.”

Matches will also be held in Mexico and Canada, with the tournament’s finale at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Other U.S. cities hosting matches include Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

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