FBI reports over 1,000 drone detections at FIFA World Cup 2026 sites

As of Sunday night, the FBI has reported 1,139 drone detections at FIFA World Cup 2026 and related sites, with over 300 mitigations, according to Andrew Giuliani at the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC) near Washington. The drones were neutralized without force, though the method was not disclosed. The FBI has seized over 500 of those drones to process as evidence in ongoing investigations, said Doug Olson, the FBI special agent responsible for World Cup coordination.

The United States has made counter-drone operations a key part of securing the 48-team tournament, co-hosted with Mexico and Canada, dedicating several hundred million dollars to the effort. Local authorities have been empowered to jam and intercept drones, and dozens of police officers from 11 US host cities have received specialized training at an FBI facility.

In mid-June, the FBI foiled a planned attack targeting a mixed martial arts event at the White House on President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, involving drones loaded with explosives. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, French authorities detected over 350 drone incursions, leading to 81 arrests, according to a National Assembly report.

According to Mehr News, these measures highlight the growing focus on drone security at major international events.