UNITE HERE Local 11, a union representing more than 2,000 SoFi Stadium workers in the US, voted to authorise a strike on Friday, a week out from the site's first scheduled World Cup match.
The union, which is mostly composed of concession workers, overwhelmingly voted in favour of the strike, which has been looming over the stadium for the last few months.
The existing deal between the union and the stadium operator, Legends Global, has already expired.
Negotiations ended without an agreement after multiple sessions failed to secure a new deal.
SoFi (Social Finance) Stadium — referred to as Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament — will be one of the major venues for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The stadium is set to host eight matches in total, including the United States Men’s National Team's opening group-stage game against Paraguay on June 12, 2026.
It will also stage additional group-stage fixtures featuring teams such as Türkiye, Iran, Switzerland and Belgium.
"SoFi Stadium cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers, and food attendants have voted 96 per cent in favour of authorising a strike, meaning workers could walk off the job at any moment if their demands are not met," the union said in a press release on Friday.
"Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Monday ahead of the USA vs Paraguay match on June 12," it added.
If an agreement cannot be reached, a union committee of workers would determine when the strike would take place.
The Athletic reported that the union had previously alerted FIFA to the issue the strike would present.
FIFA is requiring background checks for all stadium workers at this summer's event, and any replacement workers brought in should the strike begin would not have prior approval.
The union also asked FIFA to ensure that no US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are permitted inside venues during the World Cup due to concerns for the safety of its workers.
"Workers must have the right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement enters the stadium and creates a reasonable fear for their safety — no worker should have to choose between their job and their freedom," the press release said.
