Security planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States involves thousands of law enforcement officers covering nearly 80 matches across 11 cities, according to threat bulletins obtained by CNN.
Key Details
- A joint FBI-DHS threat assessment states no specific or credible threats have been identified to stadiums or official fan festivals.
- Concern exists over potential increases in terrorist activity, targeted violence, mass casualty incidents, transnational crime, unauthorized drone activity, cyber attacks, and foreign intelligence operations.
- Factors cited include intensified rhetoric from foreign terrorist organizations targeting large-scale events, heightened violence at mass protests in the US, and escalating geopolitical tensions.
- Additional crime concerns include property theft, human trafficking, fraud, counterfeit goods, and cyber attacks.
Iran Team Attendance
- Iran's national team is expected to participate amid ongoing Middle East hostilities.
- The assessment warns that upset fans in the Iranian diaspora could cause clashes at fan festivals and other events in the Los Angeles area.
- Transnational repression against local Iranian diaspora members is noted as a concern if Iran plays.