FBI reveals extent of ‘growing’ threat ahead of World Cup final as 700 illegal drones seized

The FBI has revealed that it has seized over 700 illegal drones that have circulated above and around the 11 stadiums used in the United States during the 2026 World Cup.

They have also revealed that they have detected almost 1,600 in total, despite security forces having established “no-drone zones” of a three nautical-mile radius and 3,000 feet above ground level around stadiums.

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Per a statement on its website, the FBI have said that the prevalence of drones “continue to be a growing problem at special events.”

This includes the World Cup – the globe’s greatest – and biggest – sporting event.

“What you’re seeing now is the most comprehensive airspace security and drone mitigation effort in U.S. history,” Meghan King, a supervisory special agent in charge of the crisis management program at the FBI Boston Field Office, said.

“We are utilizing cutting-edge technology to detect drones flying in restricted airspace, mitigating the threat they pose, and seizing them from operators in an effort to keep both the skies and the public safe.”

Those who fly drones into this restricted airspace are subject to receiving fines of up to $100,000 (approximately £74,000), while their equipment will also be confiscated and criminal charges could even be brought.

Drones have become an ’emerging threat’

Last month, Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director for the White House World Cup task force, told The Athletic that “drones getting above players or fans” is “an emerging threat.”

However, with this being somewhat expected, a ton of preparation from organizers went into this long before the tournament got underway.

“For the World Cup alone, all 78 matches (in the U.S.) have counter UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) mitigation and (it is) 326 events when you add those 78 plus FanFest and World Cup-related events, which will have counter-UAS mitigation capabilities,” Giuliani added.

“Obviously, from our standpoint, first and foremost, it’s the safety and security of the athletes, the fans, all that.”

The 2026 World Cup, as are other major sporting events in the United States including the Super Bowl and the World Series, are classed as Special Event Assessment Rating Level One (SEAR One).

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Essentially, this means that the Department of Homeland Security is required to provide security for them.

“Protecting the airspace above these events is as important as protecting the ground,” the FBI said when asked about anti-drone measures during the tournament.

For an event as big as the World Cup final, which will see Spain and Argentina battle against each other in a bid to become champions at MetLife Stadium, and with US President Donald Trump set to be in attendance, the FBI have also installed counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS).

“You think about the threats of old: let’s make sure no one walks in with a knife or a gun. Those are pretty easy to screen out,” Jeff Braun, senior director for emerging markets at defence technology company Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), said via The Athletic’s report.

“With drones, you’re now having to defend in three dimensions, and even if you can disable it, how do you do so to avoid it falling into the crowd or other places and causing problems.

“How many people actually want to hurt somebody? It’s probably a very small number.

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“But when you multiply that with the understanding of how easy it is to get your hands on drone technology — because it’s commercial — and do something nefarious with them, then the barrier to entry is pretty small.”

While the FBI have seized more than 700 illegal drones throughout the duration of the tournament, there has been zero attacks involving one.

Stepped up security after threat at UFC event last month

The risk of threat was heightened after four men were apprehended and arrested in June for allegedly conspiring to plan an attack, using drones packed with explosives, on the south lawn of the White House at the ‘Freedom 250’ UFC event.

According to the FBI, the alleged plan was to attack the attending crowd on one side with drones, and when others attempted to flee the exits, they would be met – and shot – by co-conspirators with sniper rifles.

“The FBI’s role is one part of a broader whole-of-government effort. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, alongside international law enforcement partners and host nation authorities, are all contributing to the security architecture for this tournament,” the FBI said in a statement.

” A partnership integrated approach, built on years of experience and trust, is how we keep events safe.

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“The FBI remains committed to leveraging our authorities to ensure FIFA World Cup 2026 is a safe and secure experience for fans and communities across the country.”

In an ideal world, though, those in attendance at an event, whether that be a concert of a World Cup match, should have no inkling that the FBI is even present.

“We’re doing our job as the fans come and go and everybody just enjoys the game and there’s no issues,” Kurt Taves, an assistant special agent in charge in the FBI Miami Field Office, said.

“We want to be bored on game day. We want the excitement to be on the pitch.”

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