ATLANTA — The FBI and Atlanta Police Department are conducting a large-scale security operation targeting unauthorized drones near World Cup venues, particularly ahead of the semifinals match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium.

Both agencies have deployed drones to monitor potential threats both on the ground and in the air. The FBI is actively enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's Temporary Flight Restrictions around the stadium.

Since the start of the World Cup, 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 seizures occurred in Atlanta. 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 within the flight-restricted area.

Kindu Franklin noted that most individuals caught flying drones near World Cup venues are hobbyists without malicious intent, often purchasing drones recently to capture footage for FIFA-related social media content. However, authorities remain vigilant due to the potential for drones to be weaponized, operating proactively to mitigate any threats.

The Atlanta Police Department's drone unit, which has completed over 1,400 flights and logged more than 550 flight hours since early June, continues to support these efforts. APD drone pilot Anais Paredes emphasized their local knowledge, saying, "We live here, so we know what to expect."

Officials also highlighted the advantage of Atlanta Stadium's closed dome design in managing crowd safety. Authorities expressed concern about disruptions caused by uncontrolled hobbyist drones, especially during critical moments in the game.

Sources