ATLANTA — In preparation for the World Cup semifinals between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, the FBI and Atlanta Police Department (APD) have launched a comprehensive security operation targeting unauthorized drones.

Both agencies are deploying drones themselves to scan for potential threats both on the ground and in the sky. The FBI is enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's Temporary Flight Restrictions around the venue to prevent unauthorized drone flights.

Since the World Cup began, the FBI has confiscated over 600 drones nationwide, with Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Field Office Marlo Graham reporting that 86 of those were seized in Atlanta alone. Graham explained that the FBI uses a specialized "mechanism" to detect unauthorized drones in restricted airspace and has successfully managed to safely land such drones to mitigate risks.

Kindu Franklin noted that most individuals caught flying drones near World Cup venues are hobbyists without any harmful intent, often purchasing drones recently to capture footage for social media. However, authorities remain vigilant, acknowledging the potential for drones to be weaponized and emphasizing a proactive approach to security.

The APD drone unit has conducted over 1,400 flights and logged more than 550 flight hours since early June. Anais Paredes, an APD drone pilot, stated, "We live here, so we know what to expect," highlighting the team's local expertise.

Authorities also expressed concerns about drones disrupting the game, with one official noting, "We don't want the game to be impacted because a hobbyist couldn't control their drone, and it lands right when one of our star players was getting ready to score a goal."

The closed dome stadium in Atlanta offers some protection, but the agencies remain alert to any drone activity that could threaten the safety of the large crowds expected at the event.

Sources