US security dogs protect World Cup venues in Los Angeles

Hundreds of trained security dogs, including a five‑year‑old Labrador named Kali, were deployed at the Los Angeles Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The dogs, supplied by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the private firm Allied Universal, sniff for explosives, firearms, fireworks and other prohibited items.

Allied Universal’s President Glen Kucera said about 300 of the firm’s 1,000 dog teams are working the tournament, which is co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The extensive canine presence reflects heightened security concerns amid geopolitical tensions, such as protests surrounding matches involving Iran and broader U.S. foreign‑policy strains.

The canine units are part of a broader security network covering stadiums, training sites, hotels and transport routes across 16 host cities in the three countries.