• Club World Cup starts as Lionel Messi's Inter Miami plays against Egypt's Al Ahly.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection's post has increased anxiety among fans.
• Concerns stem from ongoing immigration policies and protests related to Trump's administration.
• 32 teams will compete at 12 venues across the U.S. for the first time.
• Prominent figures acknowledge the cultural significance of soccer to immigrant communities.

The Club World Cup, featuring renowned players like Lionel Messi and his team Inter Miami, is set to begin in Miami as the tournament serves as a precursor to the 2026 World Cup. However, the atmosphere is shadowed by protests against U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which have made some fans anxious about attending the event. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced its readiness to provide security, stating they would be "suited and booted," a message that sparked concerns among attendees about increased visibility of immigration enforcement during the matches, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and HuffPost.

Tom Warrick, a former DHS official, noted that while it is standard for CBP and ICE to provide additional security, the specific language of the CBP post raised significant alarm. He emphasized that the current climate, where many citizens from countries affected by immigration enforcement policies attend such events, necessitates a more sensitive approach to security messaging. "I suspect it was just a moment of inattention," Warrick remarked regarding the post, which has since been deleted, according to Reuters and HuffPost.

With the Club World Cup featuring 32 teams and spreading across 12 venues in the U.S., tensions surrounding immigration policies have gained particular relevance. Protests against Trump's administration's immigration crackdown are ongoing, and critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, called the military deployment in Los Angeles unnecessary amidst these protests. Nonetheless, President Trump defended his actions, asserting they were crucial for maintaining public order, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and HuffPost.

Many individuals planning to attend have expressed fears about the potential implications of heightened security measures. One fan who has purchased tickets to see Liga MX side Monterrey expressed anxiety about the current situation, stating, "I'm scared because things have got ugly. But let's hope that things calm down a bit and let us enjoy the games," a sentiment echoed widely among attendees, as noted in reports from Reuters and HuffPost.

As the tournament approaches, Jorge Loweree, managing director of the American Immigration Council, emphasized the cultural significance of soccer for immigrant populations in the U.S. He noted that many fans attending these matches are likely immigrants, either permanent, temporary, or undocumented, which only heightens the stakes for these events. Loweree stated, "This is also a moment that is not like any other moment in history in the U.S.," reflecting the broader implications of sports amid societal tensions, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and HuffPost.