The FBI coordinated the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC) during the FIFA World Cup, bringing together U.S. federal security agencies and police forces from participating nations, including Spain. The joint centre monitored terrorist alerts, threats to players, fans, and any incidents that could affect the tournament, issuing daily reports to all delegations.
ISIS/Daesh propaganda called for attacks on stadiums and even targeted the Pope during his visit to Spain, distributing flyers and Telegram messages urging violence. The FBI received specific tips, such as a U.S. phone number linked to a Telegram account supporting the calls, and an Algerian citizen’s report that was later dismissed. The agency shared intelligence with partners to mitigate the risk.
Entities: FIFA World Cup · Federal Bureau of Investigation · International Police Cooperation Center · Islamic State (ISIS) · Spain