FBI says 2026 World Cup concludes without major security incidents under Trump task force

WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The FBI says the 2026 FIFA World Cup became the largest sporting event ever held and finished with no major security incidents across the United States. Officials credited months of planning, close coordination, and a nationwide security effort for protecting millions of fans during the tournament.

FBI Director Kash Patel praised law enforcement agencies and federal partners after the event. He also credited President Donald Trump for launching the White House FIFA Task Force about 16 months before the tournament. According to Patel, the administration aimed to provide the safest and most enjoyable environment for players, fans, and visitors.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup stretched across 38 days and featured matches in 16 host cities in the United States. Officials compared the event’s scale to hosting the equivalent of 78 Super Bowls in just over a month. In addition, teams operated from about 40 training base camps, while fan festivals and public celebrations took place across much of the country.

Patel said the FBI committed nearly 5,000 employees to the security operation. Personnel worked from the agency’s headquarters, field offices, and international locations. They also supported security efforts in every U.S. host city throughout the tournament.

According to Patel, this marked the largest resource commitment in the FBI’s history for a single event. He said the agency worked side by side with federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement partners. As a result, officials maintained security while welcoming large crowds from around the world.

The FBI also created several command centers to improve communication and response times. Those facilities included a Joint Operations Center, an International Police Coordination Center, and an Intelligence Coordination Center. Officials said these centers helped collect, analyze, and share information in real time. Consequently, agencies could respond quickly to potential concerns and keep security operations coordinated throughout the competition.

Another major focus involved protecting the airspace around World Cup venues. Therefore, the FBI established what Patel described as the nation’s first counter-unmanned aircraft systems training school for law enforcement. Officers from across the country attended the program before the tournament began. The training prepared them to identify and respond to unauthorized drone activity near stadiums and other key locations.

Patel said authorities seized more than 700 drones that entered restricted airspace connected to FIFA events. Officials viewed those efforts as an important part of the overall security strategy. They said preventing unauthorized drone flights helped reduce potential risks during matches and public gatherings.

The World Cup security mission also overlapped with several other major public events held during the same period. Patel referenced UFC 250, SAIL 250, State Fair 250, and additional large gatherings that required law enforcement resources. Even so, he said agencies continued to protect each event while maintaining full support for World Cup operations.

Patel praised the cooperation between the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, FIFA, the White House FIFA Task Force, and other partners. He also recognized White House FIFA Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani for his role in coordinating preparations before the tournament.

The FBI director said President Trump set the direction for the security effort through the task force and emphasized public safety from the beginning. Patel added that thousands of law enforcement officers and emergency personnel helped carry out that mission across the country. He thanked every participating agency for its work during the tournament.