Gabriel Fernandez was 10 when he watched a World Cup game with his father in Mexico in 1986. Now 50, Fernandez follows soccer whenever he can.
“I love soccer. To me, it’s the best sport,” Fernandez said.
But as the World Cup begins today, bringing 48 national teams and 104 games to 16 cities in Mexico and Canada and the United States, including Miami, the excitement comes with some concern.
While Tampa is not a host city, immigrant families worry about gathering in public to watch and celebrate amid tougher immigration enforcement and mass arrests.
Watson Blanc, 24, a Haitian immigrant who lives in Tampa, plans to watch the World Cup at home with his brothers and cousins instead of going to public events. Blanc, who has a work permit and has a job at an Amazon warehouse, said he feels excited but cautious. Haiti has played in the World Cup only once, in West Germany in 1974. Haiti qualified and will play Brazil, Morocco and Scotland.
“I think it is safer to watch at home,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that up to 7 million people will visit the U.S. for the World Cup. However, Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups issued a World Cup travel advisory due to aggressive immigration enforcement.
Alexein Fernandez-Cruzata, 44, a Cuban immigrant who crossed the southern border during the Biden administration, said sports are a way to bring people together, not to create tension.
“It is a celebration and it should not be mixed with politics,” he said.
Fernandez-Cruzata, who got his green card in February 2024, said he plans to watch the games privately with friends because he has heard that police and immigration agents could ask people for IDs during those days. He said he feels a little nervous, even though he’s a legal resident.
Joshua Isajar, 35, a Colombian permanent resident who lives in Tampa, said he understands the concern.
“I understand those fears because of the news and what’s happening,” Isajar said. “But I feel confident. My recommendation is to stay out of trouble.”
Fernandez, the Mexican immigrant who watched his first World Cup game with his dad four decades ago, went with his oldest son to Raymond James Stadium last weekend to watch England play New Zealand.
He wore his Mexico jersey, even though he had heard some friends say it might be better not to wear one to avoid drawing attention. Mexico will play in the World Cup and open against South Africa in Mexico City.
Fernandez, who lives in Plantation, is a green card holder.
“For us, we just hope nothing happens. My kids were born here in the U.S. and I have been a permanent resident for many years but I understand why many are afraid,” he said. “I think some people feel intimidated by the situation.”
Paul Jerome, a soccer fan from England who lives in Lakeland, was also among the fans who went to Raymond James Stadium. England qualified for the World Cup and will play at three stadiums across the U.S.
He’s excited that the World Cup is starting with more teams and matches than ever before, but he thinks concerns about immigration enforcement could keep some soccer fans away.
“It is unfortunate because even people who are not undocumented may avoid stadiums, restaurants or sports bars,” Jerome said. “They may be worried that anything could happen.”
Jerome, 49, became a U.S. citizen last year. He said the current immigration situation pushed him to take that step so he could feel more at ease.
Alexander Rados, who runs Cinco Soccer in Tampa, where soccer from Latin America and Europe gather every week, wants people to enjoy the World Cup “and not think about anything else.”
Rados, who has Peruvian roots, is organizing a large event in two weeks (June 27) for the Colombia vs. Portugal game, which he said could bring together about 2,000 fans.
“Everyone has an opinion about immigration, politics and the media and everything else,” he said. “But I’d rather not think about those things. We should just focus on soccer and the World Cup.”
