U.S. agencies, including the FBI and Transportation Security Administration, have seized over 600 drones flying near World Cup venues since the tournament began on June 11, 2026. The seizures occurred across all 11 host cities in the United States.

According to reports, drone confiscations include 98 in Miami, 77 in Atlanta, 48 in Los Angeles, 29 in Seattle, 63 in Dallas, 40 in New York City, 33 in Houston, and 32 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed temporary flight restrictions around stadiums and related game-watching sites to ensure security. These restrictions apply three hours before and after scheduled games. Violations can lead to civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, and up to one year in prison, in addition to drone seizure.

While specific security measures remain confidential, the FBI has deployed advanced teams and technology to monitor airspace and intercept unauthorized drones. Federal agencies also trained local law enforcement ahead of the games to utilize these tools to protect athletes and spectators.

Sources