Inglewood Mayor Confident About World Cup After Hosting Swift, Beyoncé Concerts

Mayor James Butts Jr. says Inglewood is ready to host soccer fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Inglewood Mayor James Butts Jr. is not worried about the city hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the successful concerts by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé at SoFi Stadium in recent years. Butts says Inglewood is prepared to maintain neighborhood integrity and ensure a safe and secure event for all visitors, despite concerns about the potential involvement of ICE in World Cup security.

Why it matters

Inglewood's ability to host major entertainment events like concerts by global superstars Taylor Swift and Beyoncé gives the mayor confidence that the city can handle the influx of soccer fans for the 2026 World Cup. However, the mayor's assurances about ICE's involvement in World Cup security contradict statements made by ICE officials, raising questions about the coordination of law enforcement for the event.

The details

Inglewood has hosted several Taylor Swift and Beyoncé concerts at SoFi Stadium in recent years, including Swift's Eras Tour in August 2023 and Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour in May 2025. Mayor Butts says these successful events demonstrate Inglewood's readiness to host the World Cup. He wants to maintain the city's reputation as the "sports entertainment capital of the western United States" and ensure all visitors have a good time. However, concerns have been raised about the potential involvement of ICE in World Cup security, which the mayor says will not be the case, contradicting statements made by ICE officials.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Inglewood from June 12 to July 10, 2026.
  • Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was held at SoFi Stadium from August 3 to August 9, 2023.
  • Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour had a historic five-night run at SoFi Stadium that ended on May 9, 2025.

The players

James Butts Jr.

The mayor of Inglewood, California, who is confident that the city can host the 2026 FIFA World Cup after successfully hosting concerts by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.

Taylor Swift

A popular American singer-songwriter who has performed at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood as part of her Eras Tour.

Beyoncé

A renowned American singer, songwriter, and performer who has held a historic five-night run at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood as part of her Cowboy Carter Tour.

Todd Lyons

The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who has stated that ICE will be a key part of the security apparatus for the 2026 World Cup.

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What they’re saying

“I want them to continue to view it as they do now — the sports entertainment capital of the western United States.”

— James Butts Jr., Mayor of Inglewood (TMZ)

“We want to maintain neighborhood integrity.”

— James Butts Jr., Mayor of Inglewood (TMZ)

“To my knowledge, ICE is not going to be a part of the federal matrix at this time — for the World Cup.”

— James Butts Jr., Mayor of Inglewood (TMZ)

“ICE, specifically Homeland Security Investigations, is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup. We are dedicated to securing that operation, and we are dedicated to the security of all of our participants as well as visitors. ICE is dedicated to ensuring everyone who visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.”

— Todd Lyons, ICE Director (TMZ)

What’s next

The World Cup Final will be held on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The takeaway

Inglewood's successful hosting of major concerts by global superstars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé has given the mayor confidence in the city's ability to handle the influx of soccer fans for the 2026 World Cup. However, the mayor's assurances about ICE's involvement in World Cup security contradict statements made by ICE officials, raising questions about the coordination of law enforcement for the event.