US deploys FBI tactical units and tight security checks for 2026 World Cup

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, U.S. authorities have stepped up security measures at venues across the country. The FBI announced the deployment of its Critical Incident Response Group, Hostage Rescue Team, bomb‑disposal experts and SWAT‑style units to 11 host cities, citing threats such as drones, lone‑wolf attacks and cybercrime. The agency said its elite teams are prepared to respond to any incident during the 39‑day tournament.

In New York, the Uzbekistan national football team was subjected to intensive inspections, including sniffer dogs and portable scanners, before a friendly match at Icahn Stadium. Similar procedures had earlier affected the Senegal squad in Texas. These checks illustrate the broader security posture surrounding the event, which also includes ICE focusing on national‑security concerns. The heightened vigilance follows a recent shooting that injured nine people near the England team’s base in Kansas City.

The coordinated effort aims to protect players, fans and visitors throughout the tournament, which opens on 11 June in Mexico and continues with matches in the United States.