Is FIFA World Cup 2026 in jeopardy? More than 10,000 tickets cancelled by overseas fans after unrest over 'fear' and 'safety concerns' amid ICE's shooting in Minneapolis

Nillohit Bagchi | Jan 10, 2026, 00:52 IST

Overseas fans dreamed of packed US stadiums in 2026. Now many are pulling out after the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Supporters from England, Brazil, South Africa and beyond say excitement has turned into fear. Tickets are hitting resale sites, travel bookings have slowed, and fans insist football trips should feel safe, calm and full of joy.

Image credit : Indiatimes | Many football fans are cancelling FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets after the ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Overseas fans were meant to fill US stadiums with noise, colour, and pure World Cup madness in 2026. But the mood has changed. Fast. The fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis has shaken global supporters. Many who booked flights, saved money, and waited years to watch their teams play in North America are now backing out.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a historic one. It is the first to host 48 teams. It is the first shared by three nations. And it was expected to be a festival like no other. But after the ICE incident, fans online and in real life have said the same thing again and again: they do not feel safe coming to the US right now.

The ICE shooting changed travel plans overnight

The shooting involved a 37 year old US citizen, a mother of three, who was killed in her car during an ICE stop. The video spread online within minutes. It didn’t look like a traffic stop to millions watching abroad. It looked like chaos. And chaos is the last thing a family wants to fly into.

Image credit : X/@DramaAlert | The shooting involved a 37 year old US citizen, a mother of three, who was killed in her car during an ICE stop

On X, one supporter from Manchester wrote: “Been waiting since 2018 to see England play in the US. But nah, mate. After seeing that ICE clip, I’m not dragging my kids into that.” A fan from Cape Town posted a picture of his printed match tickets and captioned: “I’m gutted. But I’m out. Football is love, not risk.” Another user on X said: “I’d rather watch from home than explain to my mum why I thought this was safe.”

BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Overseas World Cup fans are telling us they are cancelling their World Cup tickets to Trump's America after seeing ICE kill a woman in her car.

They are saying, The US is not safe to visit. pic.twitter.com/4NDr4AgG0H

— PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) January 8, 2026

The reactions aren’t organised by one country or one fan group. They’re global. The tone is personal, emotional, and nervous. Many fans said they’ve started listing tickets on resale sites. Some admitted they cancelled hotel bookings. A few even said their excitement turned into anxiety within hours.

FIFA silence causes outrage on social media

FIFA hasn’t commented. Not directly. No press line. No statement. But fans are filling the silence with their own verdict. One user on X said: “FIFA wanted packed stadiums. We wanted a dream trip. But this is not the safety brochure we signed up for.”

Image credit : FIFA | Overseas fans were meant to fill US stadiums with noise, colour, and pure World Cup madness in 2026

Another said: “US venues are world class. But a World Cup isn’t just stadiums. It’s cities, streets, and people feeling calm. Right now it feels the opposite.” The criticism isn’t about the sport. It’s about the setting. Fans love the teams, the kits, the rival chants, the late night pub debates. They just don’t want danger in the background.

Economic blow to football tourism

The 2026 tournament was expected to pour billions into the US economy. Hotels, bars, transport, merchandise, local tourism. All of it. But early data from ticketing forums, hotel chains, and travel agents show a clear dip in overseas bookings.

Overnight 16 800 people cancelled their World Cup Tickets. This is commendable pic.twitter.com/6iuwbZ3uxq

— African (@ali_naka) January 9, 2026

A London based travel agent told a sports channel: “We’re getting refund questions every hour. It’s not a trickle. It’s a wave.” A São Paulo supporter said in a viral clip: “Money comes back. Life doesn’t. I’m staying put.”

Hotel insiders say overseas room bookings for host cities have slowed. Some places that were nearly sold out are now half full for June and July 2026. Resale ticket prices have also dropped on secondary platforms. The market shift tells the story without needing big words.

Fans 'concerned' over football's 'unity being sold for money'

The World Cup trophy has always symbolised one big idea: countries compete, fans unite. But right now, supporters say the US doesn’t feel like a neutral ground for celebration. It feels unpredictable.

Image credit : Screenshot taken from X | No one knows if this boycott will grow into something bigger

One user on X said: “We wanted to scream for goals, not worry about sirens.” Another said: “Football should bring goosebumps. Not gut punches.” No one knows if this boycott will grow into something bigger. But the message is already sharp. Loud. Clear. Fans aren’t just cancelling tickets. They’re cancelling trust.

GENERAL

Nillohit Bagchi