FBI warns of possible acts of intimidation by foreign governments during the World Cup
Great risk that hostile governments will intensify their tactics of harassment, espionage and even attacks on US soil, says Patel
FBI Director Kash Patel warned that United States security agencies are preparing for a possible increase in “transnational repression” activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada and that will attract millions of fans from different parts of the world.
In a message broadcast on his official
“Hostile foreign governments deliberately attempt to intimidate, silence and even kill people on American soil whom they consider threats to their regimes,” said Patel, who described these practices as acts of “transnational repression.”
The official explained that the FBI will deploy specialized counterintelligence and prevention teams in more than 56 locations related to the tournament, including several of the host cities where group stage and qualifying matches will be played. Among them, Philadelphia stood out, a city that will host six games during the championship.
The warning occurs while US authorities fine-tune one of the most extensive security operations in recent years to protect attendees, players and international delegations that will participate in the World Cup.
They reinforce surveillance in host cities
In addition to the FBI, other federal agencies have stepped up security coordination leading up to the tournament. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leads cooperation efforts with state governments and local authorities, while the Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) participate in logistics, response and protection tasks.
The organization of the championship has also been accompanied by diplomatic tensions related to some participating countries, particularly Iran, whose team will play matches in Los Angeles and Seattle within the group stage.
Last week, US officials confirmed that the Iranian team will be able to enter the country to compete; However, they indicated that the delegation would not remain permanently housed in United States territory. Subsequently, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum offered support to receive members of the Iranian representation in Mexico during part of the competition.
Washington has on several occasions accused Iran of carrying out surveillance and intimidation operations inside the United States. Last March, the Department of Justice reported on the seizure of internet domains allegedly linked to psychological operations and repression activities coordinated by Iranian intelligence services.
U.S. authorities have also flagged investigations involving Chinese and Russian nationals in similar cases.
FBI will focus efforts on combating human trafficking
Patel also assured that the FBI will maintain special surveillance on possible human trafficking and sexual exploitation networks during the World Cup, due to the increase in visitors and massive displacements that will accompany the tournament.
“The FBI works around the clock to dismantle sex and human trafficking networks around the world, and we will be closely focused on this threat during the FIFA tournament,” the official wrote.
According to data presented by Patel, joint operations by the FBI and other agencies allowed during the last year the arrest of nearly 2,900 alleged traffickers and sex offenders, in addition to the rescue of approximately 7,000 minor victims of exploitation.
The FBI director asked the population to remain alert and report any suspicious activity during the sporting event.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11 with opening activities at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and will conclude on July 19 with the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.