In a now-deleted social media post, United States Customs and Border Protection exclaimed its agents would be “suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games”,

As the Club World Cup kicks off, the celebration is clouded by ICE’s rhetoric and presence at the event. Phoenix Rising coach Pa-Modou Kah’s call for humanity demonstrates the tension between soccer as a unifying force and politics surrounding the event.

The 32-team is not only a test of how to run next summer's World Cup. It's the largest, richest and most ambitious global club tournament.