The FBI has intercepted over 300 unauthorized drones nationwide so far during the first week and a half of the 2026 World Cup games.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed the number to the Washington Examiner on Monday morning, adding that its office has seized 34 drones itself over the Los Angeles World Cup facilities centered on SoFi Stadium. The FBI’s Dallas field office announced on Monday that it has seized 39 drones over the city’s World Cup fan fest and the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, since the games began on June 11.
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The FBI’s Philadelphia office told the Washington Examiner that it has seized 42 drones since the start of the games at Lincoln Financial Field; likewise, Newark’s FBI field office told the outlet it has seized six drones in New Jersey since kickoff at MetLife Stadium.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary flight restrictions over all 11 U.S. stadiums hosting World Cup games and all 12 fan fest events occurring across the country before the games began. Drone pilots who violate the restrictions could face prison time, up to $100,000 in fines, and have their drone confiscated.
FBI field offices nationwide have been amplifying the FAA’s message, pointing to the safety risks drones can pose to the soccer events. The FAA’s advisory also warned that the U.S. government can use “deadly force” against aircraft that violate the restrictions if it deems the aircraft poses an imminent security threat to the facility and revoke the pilots’ certificates.
“When someone makes a decision to fly a drone over restricted airspace, they are wasting valuable law enforcement resources and jeopardizing the safety and overall experience of those who are there to watch the beautiful game,” U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said in a statement.
The news of the drone confiscations comes as public sporting events are under a higher security alert after the Freedom 250 UFC fight on the White House lawn.
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The FBI foiled a plot to attack the fight, which was in celebration of President Donald Trump‘s 80th birthday and drew many high-profile spectators. The FBI made five arrests in connection with the alleged drone attack plot on the UFC fight. The agency said the attackers had allegedly plotted to use drones to cause explosions in buildings surrounding the event, force an evacuation toward a sniper team, and then breach the White House perimeters.
The World Cup, similarly to the White House UFC fight, has drawn many high-profile spectators, including members of the Trump Cabinet such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
