Patel outlines FBI’s record-security playbook for World Cup 2026

FBI Director Kash Patel describes the largest security operation in the bureau’s history for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, detailing a highly coordinated effort with about 5,000 personnel, 300,000 background checks, and over 700 drone takedowns, aided by a dedicated counter-UAS program, strong interagency and international cooperation, and a White House task force, all contributing to no significant criminal attacks during roughly 6.5 million attendees across 11 U.S. venues (and nearly 7 million fans overall) without major security incidents.