Additional Coverage:
- JD Vance raises eyebrows with immigration warning to FIFA World Cup fans heading to US (irishstar.com)
VP Vance Issues Tongue-in-Cheek Warning to World Cup Visitors
Vice President JD Vance raised eyebrows with a playful yet pointed remark directed at future World Cup attendees during a FIFA 2026 World Cup Task Force meeting earlier today. The meeting, attended by President Trump, Vance, and other cabinet members, also saw the appointment of Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to head the task force overseeing the tournament.
While discussing preparations for the event, scheduled to take place across North America from June 11th to July 19th, 2026, Vance quipped, “We’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games. But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem.”
The Vice President’s remark, referencing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, drew laughter from the audience. However, the joke comes at a time of heightened tension surrounding immigration issues and the Trump administration’s recent crackdown on undocumented individuals. The administration’s latest initiative, offering financial incentives for self-deportation, has further fueled controversy and anxiety within affected communities.
Vance’s comments quickly sparked reactions online, with some users expressing concern about the potential impact on the World Cup and the image of the United States on the global stage. Some called for boycotts or relocation of the tournament, citing the current political climate.