Months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the Trump administration's top national security concerns surrounding the tournament was the potential use of drones near stadiums and fan gathering areas.
Nearly two weeks into the tournament, U.S. agencies have seized or neutralized more than 300 drones near World Cup venues, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Reuters reported that 49 drone operators involving unauthorized drone flights were ticketed in Florida and that authorities seized 54 drones.
As the outlet noted, all aircraft operations, including drones, are prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around World Cup venues on matchdays unless specifically authorized by air traffic controllers.
In Kansas City, TSA said last week it had detected 19 drones since June 11. Eight of those incidents occurred during the high-profile match between Argentina and Algeria on June 16, which featured soccer superstar Lionel Messi. The operations in Kansas City resulted in two misdemeanor violations and the arrest of a woman wanted on six outstanding warrants.
"Not only is flying drones in TFR zones illegal, it's dangerous. My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping our skies drone-free," U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price said in a statement. "If you see a drone breaking the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable by the Department of Justice."
The Federal Aviation Administration has said drone operators who enter restricted airspace without federal authorization can face fines of up to $100,000, criminal charges and the confiscation of their drones.
As Reuters noted, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year aimed at strengthening U.S. defenses against threatening drones. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security deployed new counter-drone systems along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas after Mexican cartels allegedly conducted more than 60,000 drone flights within 500 meters of the border during the final six months of 2024.
Weeks before the start of the tournament, federal, state and local agencies developed and trained personnel on a new counter-drone program.
The concerns ranged from nuisance drones disrupting matches to more serious scenarios involving explosives or attempts to target large crowds gathered at stadiums and FIFA Fan Festivals. Secret Service Director Sean Curran told lawmakers in April that the agency was struggling to acquire counter-drone technology because of "supply chain issues," despite spending more than $100 million over the previous 18 months.
