Seattle, WA

FIFA Club World Cup kickoff in Seattle clouded by fears of ICE, border patrol presence

Published

11 months ago

June 13, 2025

FIFA Club World Cup kickoff in Seattle clouded by fears of ICE, border patrol presence

SEATTLE, Wash. – What should be a festive kickoff to the FIFA Club World Cup in Seattle this Sunday has instead sparked fear and uncertainty among some fans after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suggested on social media it would be involved in security at Club World Cup matches.

The Seattle Sounders will face Brazil’s Botafogo in a high-stakes match at Lumen Field on Sunday, marking one of the biggest games in the tournament. Seattle, considered the underdog, will host the match as the city prepares for a broader role in the global soccer spotlight ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup.

But for some fans, the excitement is being overshadowed by rumors and social media posts suggesting increased immigration enforcement presence at matches — not just in Seattle, but across the country.

Earlier this week, CBP shared a now-deleted post on its official channels stating, “Let the games begin – the first FIFA Club World Cup games starts on June 14 in Miami. CBP will be suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games.” The post has since been taken down but is still being circulated by outlets such as FOX Sports 940 AM in Miami.

According to FOX’s affiliate in Florida, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed CBP agents would be working alongside Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies to provide security for the matches in Florida.

Concerns grew further after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents advised non-citizens to bring proof of legal status to the matches. While that advisory appears specific to Miami, the uncertainty has reached fans in Seattle as well.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson addressed those concerns saying, “I’m not getting communication from the federal government about what they’re doing. I want to be very clear about that,” Ferguson said. “But we, of course, are very focused on the days ahead of us and being sure we’re doing everything we can to ensure the President does not take any legal action here in Washington.”

The office of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also responded, acknowledging awareness of the rumors. A spokesperson said the city has been in contact with Gov. Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown. The office emphasized that Seattle does not coordinate or assist federal agencies in immigration enforcement.

Ticket sales have also become a topic of conversation. Sunday’s match tickets are available for as low as $35. In comparison, a ticket to see Paris Saint-Germain — featuring some of the most well-known players in international soccer — costs around $117 – compared to $350 a year ago.

While it’s unclear whether the enforcement rumors are affecting sales, sports analyst Nico Moreno of Pulso Sports said the drop in demand isn’t surprising.

“I really thought a couple months back that it would be beyond that,” Moreno said. “But when I’m hearing that there’s basically a fire sale on tickets, that people are getting free tickets if they bought the 300 level — people are being brought down from 300 levels down — it makes me feel like it’s going to be a Portland vs. Sounders atmosphere.”

In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup 26™ is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the Super Bowl. Our mission remains unchanged.”

Security concerns aren’t unprecedented. During the 2023 Copa América final, hundreds of fans breached Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, an incident attributed to a lack of security personnel.

FOX 13 Seattle reached out to Lumen Field for comment but has not yet received a response.

Seattle is set to host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Sunday’s match is being seen as an early test of how the city handles international sporting events — both on and off the pitch.

MLS FIFA Club World Cup Pay Dispute

The Sounders are three days away from their first FIFA Club World Cup match, the biggest tournament in franchise history, as an ongoing disagreement between players and Major League Soccer casts a shadow over the event.

The Source: Information in this story came from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and FOX 13 News.

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Seattle, WA

‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com

Published

4 hours ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

‘Do you care more about the kids or the drug addicts?’: Jake calls out Seattle for potential homeless shelters near schools – MyNorthwest.com

After the Seattle City Council moved forward with legislation that would expand temporary homeless shelters without buffer zones near schools, KIRO host Jake Skorheim questioned who the city really cares about.

Jake wondered aloud about what goes on in a Seattle City Council member’s head, assuming they even read the proposal.

“They see the thing, they go like, ‘Well, what do we think about this one here, about school zones?’ They’re like, ‘I don’t know about that. Let’s scratch that out. We can have homeless people around school zones, drug addicts, people who are trying to get their fix,’” he said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

Seattle legislation would increase shelter capacity by 50%

If approved, the legislation would let temporary shelter sites, including tiny home villages, RV safe lots, and tent encampments, increase capacity by 50%, raising the maximum from 100 to 150 residents.

Approved amendments would require sites with more than 100 beds to maintain public safety plans and around-the-clock staffing. Another amendment would require shelters to establish agreements with surrounding neighborhoods outlining expectations for resident behavior and site management. A final amendment mandates at least one manager for every 15 high-needs residents.

Still, several nonprofits urged council members to pass the bill without amendments, arguing the added restrictions could slow resources to people experiencing homelessness and further stigmatize them.

Jake had a question for city leaders: “Who do you care more about? You care more about the kids or the homeless drug addicts?”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business

Published

16 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Seattle beer garden employee found fatally shot inside business

SEATTLE — Seattle police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Saturday morning at a business in the city’s Lake City neighborhood, authorities said.

Officers responded to the 8500 block of Lake City Way Northeast after employees arriving to open the Growler Guys, a beer garden and restaurant, discovered a deceased man inside around 9 a.m. Saturday, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said at the scene.

The man, who police confirmed to be an employee in his early 20s, appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, Barnes said.

Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced him dead.

Dozens of friends and family members of the young victim spent hours on the scene Saturday, and many were visibly overcome with emotion.

Kelly Dole, owner of the Growler Guys, described the victim as a warm, light-hearted young man.

“He was the type of friend that everybody wanted to have,” Dole said. “His group of friends, which includes my son, are really going to miss him. They’re about as tight as a group of young men can be.”

The victim had been working at the business the night before; however, Seattle police have not confirmed when the shooting happened or what may have led up to it.

“When we have things like this, we have to reevaluate what we could’ve done better,” Chief Barnes said. “How can we make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to bring justice to this family, because quite frankly, they deserve it.”

Detectives are focusing their investigation on the business and were processing the scene for evidence Saturday. Officers, investigators, chaplains, and support services were present.

The restaurant’s owners are cooperating with police, Barnes said. Dole was emotional while speaking with KOMO News about how the tragic shooting has shaken his neighborhood business.

“He always had a smile; he was so buoyant, you could never get him down,” Dole talked about the victim. “The world lost someone important today.”

Authorities said residents can expect an increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues and in the coming days.

There is no suspect information at this time, and police did not make any arrests. The circumstances leading up to the killing are under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

The killing marks Seattle’s 12th homicide of the year, according to Barnes.

This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Seattle, WA

Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Seattle Mariners vs Chicago White Sox: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9

Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the Seattle Mariners visit the Chicago White Sox.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.