The United States faces new uncertainty ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as nearly 2,000 hospitality workers at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium have voted in favor of a strike. The $5.5 billion venue, to be known as Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament, is scheduled to host eight matches, including the host nation’s opening game against Paraguay on June 12. According to The Wall Street Journal, 96 percent of union members supported the strike authorization.

Unionized workers, including servers, bartenders, cooks, and other service staff, are demanding better wages, protection against subcontracting, and job security. They have also expressed concern over recent immigration enforcement fears. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said federal authorities will assist with security during the matches but clarified that they will not enforce immigration laws.

Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, stated that workers are struggling to pay rent despite the expected profits from the World Cup. Legends Global, the company managing food and hospitality operations, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement through negotiations. Failure to do so could disrupt the United States–Paraguay match and other fixtures at the venue.