US authorities seize drones breaching restricted airspace at 2026 World Cup in Atlanta

Federal officials in the United States confiscated 32 unmanned aerial vehicles after the FBI detected roughly 70 drones violating a no‑fly zone around World Cup venues in Atlanta. The restrictions, imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration, prohibit drone operation within a three‑mile radius of stadiums and fan zones for the duration of the 2026 tournament.

Authorities warned that unauthorized drones pose safety risks, including possible collisions with crowds or law‑enforcement aircraft, and could be exploited for terrorist attacks. Violators face penalties up to $100,000, seizure of the device and up to a year in prison. Less than half of the detected drones were captured, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures. An undocumented immigrant was also arrested for operating a drone in the prohibited zone, and unverified claims of hacking attempts on security drones were reported.

The heightened enforcement underscores the expanding scope of security for major sporting events, extending from stadium entrances to the low‑altitude airspace above gathering areas.