Argentina match moved from Chicago amid Trump immigration stand-off

An international friendly football match between Argentina and Puerto Rico that was due to take place in Chicago has been moved to Florida, organisers said Wednesday, amid unrest in the city triggered by a crackdown on immigration.

The friendly match, originally scheduled for October 13 at Chicago’s 61,500-seat Soldier Field, will now be played at 21,550-seat venue Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the home pitch of Argentina skipper and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi.

The development comes amid preparations for the 2026 football World Cup which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico. US President Donald Trump has promised fans it will be a "seamless experience."

The match will now be played a day later in Florida, organiser DeeDee Jones said in a statement.

The Argentine Football Association declined to comment. The move was first reported by the Associated Press. 

Chicago, the largest city in Democrat-run Illinois and third-largest in the country, has been resisting Trump's hardline drive to deport millions of immigrants, which has prompted allegations of rights abuses and myriad lawsuits.

Trump on Wednesday called for jailing Democratic officials in Illinois who are resisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

"Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers! Governor (JB) Pritzker also!" Trump posted on his social media platform.

Local officials argue that city and state law enforcement are sufficient to handle the protests, but Trump claims the military is needed to keep federal agents safe, heightening concerns by his critics of growing authoritarianism.

The United States will be hosting the bulk of the World Cup games and Trump has already suggested moving matches from cities he regards as a security risk.

US host cities include staunchly Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

–TIMES/AFP/BLOOMBERG