The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first held in the United States in over three decades, saw the largest deployment of FBI resources ever dedicated to securing a sporting event. FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that the agency, alongside its partners, successfully prevented any significant criminal attacks during the tournament.

"That’s what we executed on," Patel said, emphasizing the scale of the operation. The World Cup attracted 6.5 million attendees across 78 matches held at 11 venues in the U.S.

The FBI’s Intelligence Coordination Center played a critical role, with over 400 personnel processing an average of 26 incidents daily and generating nearly 100 intelligence reports for federal, state, local, and private-sector partners.

A notable aspect of the security effort was the takedown of more than 700 unauthorized drones, which posed potential threats due to violations of FAA airspace regulations and failure to register. Patel stated, "If you’re in the space, we’re gonna take you down," underscoring the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward such violations.

Patel also highlighted the FBI’s preparedness, noting, "We, the FBI, specifically train for the worst of the worst," reflecting the agency’s commitment to anticipating and mitigating high-risk scenarios.

The final match between Spain and Argentina took place at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former President Donald Trump present at the award ceremony.

Overall, the FBI and its partners' coordinated efforts ensured the World Cup was a secure and historic event without major security incidents.

Sources