More than 300 unauthorised drones have been seized by US authorities at World Cup sites since the tournament began this month, as a sweeping security operation targets airspace violations around stadiums and fan zones.
On matchdays, all aircraft operations — including drones — are banned within a three-mile radius of stadiums and up to 3,000 feet above them, with similar restrictions covering fan zones. The measures, introduced to prevent drones from threatening people on the ground, are also part of wider moves to protect against potential terrorism. Last year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to bolster US defences against drone attacks.
“More than 300 unauthorised drones seized at World Cup sites in the US since tournament began.”
FBI teams are stationed around World Cup stadiums to detect and disable unauthorised drones. Operators who breach the no-fly zones face fines of up to $100,000 (£75,000), seizure of equipment and criminal charges.
Last week in Kansas City, Missouri, eight drones and controllers were confiscated by the FBI in a joint operation with other law enforcement agencies for violating temporary flight restrictions at World Cup events at Kansas City Stadium and a Fifa fan zone. Two drone operators also received violation notices from the Federal Air Marshal Service.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration told BBC Sport that "enforcement is swift and proactive" for anyone found flying a drone in restricted zones. They added that authorities "have implemented the most comprehensive airspace security and drone mitigation effort in US history for the Fifa World Cup 2026, resulting in the seizure of more than 300 unauthorized drones to date." Unauthorised drone flights, they said, "are a serious violation of federal law."
Before South Korea's second Group A game with co-hosts Mexico last week, the Mexican military reportedly intercepted and brought down an unregistered drone seen flying over South Korea's training base in Guadalajara, Mexico, with the South Korean camp reportedly suspecting spying.
The incident echoes a recent controversy: in 2024, Canada's women's team was accused of using a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session before their opening match at the Olympic Games in Paris. Head coach Bev Priestman was dismissed by Canada Soccer and two coaching staff members were suspended as the 2020 gold medallists were deducted six points.