SoFi Stadium workers authorize strike before FIFA 2026 World Cup

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - World Cup play is set for the end of this week at the Premiere Venue in Southern California, but the spectators may be showing yellow cards at SoFi Stadium as workers there have authorized a strike.

SoFi Stadium is set to welcome thousands for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, but a vote Friday by the Unite Here Local 11 union members authorized a strike, which means the games could be played with no cashiers, cooks, bartenders or dishwashers in the stadium.

"No one would get fed. No food, no, any kind of hospitality, no food, no drink, no smiley faces, no good camaraderie," said Yolanda Fierro, who has worked at SoFi Stadium since 2021 as a suite runner, helping servers get meals to guests in the suites.

"Currently, our biggest issue is the wages that we're paid. This stadium makes a lot of money. And every employee there in all departments, they do their job well, and they like their job. So we like to be compensated for what we're doing at this point, to keep coming, take care of our families," Fierro added.

In a statement, the union says contract negotiations with the stadium food service operator legends global and FIFA have stalled over key issues including earning living wage, placing limits on AI, technology, and subcontracting, and the right to strike if ICE comes to the workplace.

The Department of Homeland Security told NBC News last month it's offering its personnel to local police departments and federal agencies to provide extra security around the perimeters of games.

However, ICE officers and agents will not be be checking spectators or employees for immigration status.

"A fair contract for us is that we would like to go up to probably $10 over what minimum wage is at this point. And it's due to the fact that California's extremely high," Fierro expressed. "Our rents have gone up, gas is high, food is high, utilities is high, insurance, health, things like that. And a lot of people are doing without, but they're still coming to work because they gotta survive some kind of way."

Minimum wage for entry-level hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium is $16.90 an hour.

Eight matches will be played at SoFi Stadium, starting with the U.S. vs Paraguay Friday, June 12, 2026.