FBI Director Details Massive Security Operation for 2026 World Cup The Federal Bureau of Investigation executed an unprecedented security operation to safeguard the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which marked the first time the United States hosted the global soccer tournament in over three decades. FBI Director Kash Patel revealed in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that the agency deployed nearly 5,000 personnel, including over 4,000 from field offices, 800 from FBI Headquarters, and support from 59 Homeland Security Task Forces, to ensure the safety of the event. The operation spanned 78 matches across 11 venues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with more than 6.5 million attendees. Patel emphasized that the effort required "mathematically precise" planning to address the scale of the challenge. A key focus was countering the growing threat of drones, which could be used to surveil players or disrupt events. The FBI conducted approximately 300,000 background checks on players, coaches, and other accredited personnel to mitigate risks. Despite the massive scale of the operation, Patel confirmed there were no significant criminal attacks during the tournament. The World Cup also set attendance records, with fans often entering stadiums in under 15 minutes for matches averaging over 65,000 attendees. International visitors flooded the country, contributing to the event’s global impact. Patel highlighted the collaboration between the FBI and its partners, stating, "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 security operation included aggressive measures to neutralize drone threats, with over 700 drone takedowns reported during the event.#fbi #2026_world_cup #fifa_world_cup #kash_patel #homeland_security_task_forces
