Organizers of the Concacaf Gold Cup, the premier national team football competition for North and Central America and the Caribbean, are closely monitoring the escalating protests in Los Angeles as the city prepares to host the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and the Dominican Republic this Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
Concacaf, the regional governing body, issued a statement emphasizing ongoing communication with local authorities to address the evolving situation, prioritizing the safety and well-being of players, fans, and stakeholders.
The city has been gripped by five days of protests, with hundreds arrested amid demonstrations against U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration raids. Los Angeles, where Hispanics constitute the largest ethnic group, has a deep cultural and historical connection to immigrants, particularly those from Mexico.
The unrest has raised concerns about safety, prompting the Mexican national team to relocate to a different hotel, according to the Associated Press.
Adding to the city’s high-profile sports schedule, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena will host the first of six Club World Cup matches on Sunday, featuring Paris St-Germain against Atletico Madrid. The overlapping events have heightened concerns, with the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) expressing deep apprehension about the situation.
Concacaf remains committed to delivering a world-class Gold Cup, emphasizing a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment. “The safety and well-being of all participants, fans, and stakeholders is the Confederation’s highest priority,” the organization stated. “We will continue to actively monitor developments as we work toward showcasing the best of our sport.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has imposed an overnight curfew in parts of the downtown district, citing vandalism and looting of businesses.
With the city under strain, authorities and organizers face mounting pressure to ensure the safety of these major sporting events while addressing the underlying tensions fueling the protests.