The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first hosted by the United States in over three decades, saw an unprecedented security effort led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, FBI Director Kash Patel described the operation as the largest deployment of the agency’s resources for a sporting event.

Patel reported, "We’re proud to report that, thank God, and thankfully to the men and women of the FBI and our partners, we had no significant criminal attacks during this World Cup."

The event attracted approximately 6.5 million attendees across 78 matches held in 11 venues nationwide. The FBI’s Intelligence Coordination Center supported the operation with over 400 personnel who processed an average of 26 incidents daily and produced nearly 100 intelligence reports for federal, state, local, and private-sector partners.

A significant part of the security measures involved countering unauthorized drone activity. Patel stated, "If you’re in the space, we’re gonna take you down. And that’s why we took down over 700 [drones]. Some of these folks were maybe borderline nuisances, while many of them were criminal in terms of violations of FAA airspace and also failing to register their drones… We’re not taking any chances."

Patel emphasized the FBI’s preparedness, saying, "We, the FBI, specifically train for the worst of the worst," underscoring the agency’s readiness to handle potential threats.

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.

Sources