400 Agencies Join Security Plan for 2026 World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin next week across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, authorities are mobilizing an unprecedented security operation to protect the largest tournament in the event’s history. The expanded format, featuring 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days, presents a complex challenge as millions of visitors are expected to converge on host venues amid a volatile global climate.

The security effort involves a vast coalition of more than 400 law enforcement agencies, federal authorities, and private security firms. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force, described the U.S. portion of the event as equivalent to "78 Super Bowls over 39 days." He stated there has never been a summer like this in American history from a security perspective. The tournament holds the same high-level federal security designation as the Super Bowl, ensuring coordinated planning across all levels of government.

Officials outlined a wide array of tools and strategies for the operation. These include drone defenses, such as temporary flight restrictions over stadiums and fan zones and technology to safely...