Story perspectives

FBI Leads 2026 World Cup Security, 300K Checks

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

FBI Director Kash Patel says securing the 2026 World Cup is the agency’s biggest operational lift, with the FBI leading intelligence preparations.
The bureau will conduct 300,000 background checks on players and coaches, while a counter-drone program launched in October 2025 has graduated 70 police officers.
A joint operations center linking police from 46 of the 48 participating nations provides threat information, noting protests and a Metro cyber attack.

History

Historical Context

When South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup from June to July, FIFA and the South African Police Service deployed extensive security, restricted airspace around ten stadiums and upgraded five venues while spending roughly R8.4 billion on infrastructure. Organizer Danny Jordaan and FIFA president Sepp Blatter highlighted the readiness, establishing a security model that the FBI now expands for the 2026 tournament with 300,000 background checks.

1 of 2

Story summary

FBI Director Kash Patel says securing the 2026 World Cup is the agency’s biggest operational lift, with the FBI leading intelligence preparations.
The bureau will conduct 300,000 background checks on players and coaches, while a counter-drone program launched in October 2025 has graduated 70 police officers.
A joint operations center linking police from 46 of the 48 participating nations provides threat information, noting protests and a Metro cyber attack.

1 / 2