The 2026 World Cup, set to be the largest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, presents an unprecedented security challenge. This massive event coincides with the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iranrising political tensions, and the growing threat of artificial intelligence-fueled disruptions.
To ensure the safety of millions of attendees, a vast network of federal agencies, local police departments, and private entities are collaborating on a comprehensive security plan. This plan includes advanced technologies such as hunter dronesrobot dogs for bag inspection, giant X-ray trucksand thousands of AI-powered cameras to monitor public spaces.
Unprecedented security collaboration
The tournament has been given the same high-level federal security designation as the Super Bowl, ensuring seamless coordination between federal, state, and local authorities. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that up to 7 million people will visit the U.S. for the World Cup, adding to the complexity of the security operation.
The U.S. Secret Servicewhich has faced scrutiny after recent security breaches, is responsible for protecting world leaders attending the matches. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in attending a game, adding another layer of security complexity. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has assured Congress that the Secret Service is prepared for this zero-fail mission, despite being understaffed by about 860 agents.
The FBI has spent two years developing its security plan, drawing lessons from previous major events like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York. The agency has also tested its strategies at smaller events, including last week’s Israel Day parade in the city.
Evolving threats and advanced technologies
In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security participated in exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks, and mass shootings. However, the security landscape changed dramatically when the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran a month later.
Stefano Ritondalechief intelligence officer at Artorias, a defense intelligence company, noted that the security picture has fundamentally changed. The threat has shifted from lone wolf radicals to potential terrorists backed by foreign countries at war with the U.S.
Among the greatest concerns are droneswhich have become prominent weapons in recent conflicts. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that drones are a significant threat, and the FBI has a full suite of options to thwart any incursions. The agency has not elaborated on the specific methods but assured that they have various means to safely down unauthorized drones.
The growing sophistication of AI videos is another concern, with officials warning that state actors can harness this technology to sow misinformation and panic. On match days, the FBI will activate joint operations centers in each host city to monitor and investigate threats.
Private tech’s role in security
Some AI companies have partnered with police departments in host cities, offering to analyze data and surveillance footage to prevent threats, including unruly fan behavior. In Kansas City, Missouri, which is hosting six matches, the police department has contracted with Peregrine Technologies to sift through data and publicly available information to anticipate potential conflicts.
In Dallas, a recent $120 million tech upgrade will equip local police with body cameras capable of real-time translations, aiding communication with international visitors. Several drone detection and mitigation companies are also joining efforts to help federal agencies secure the skies. One such company, Fortem, has claimed a multimillion-dollar contract with the Department of Homeland Security for an unusual drone mitigation strategy involving quadcopters that can shoot nets at encroaching drones.
As the World Cup approaches, authorities are determined to showcase American exceptionalism in security planning. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trump’s World Cup task force, expressed confidence in the preparations, stating, “If we do our job right, nobody will be talking about security at the World Cup.”