World Cup 2026 security crackdowns

In early July 2026, U.S. agencies reported seizing more than 600 drones that had entered temporary flight‑restriction zones around World Cup venues. By the end of the month, the FBI disclosed a larger seizure of over 700 drones, including 59 in Los Angeles, framing the operation as part of a broader effort to address the rapid rise in civilian drone use at major events.

The July 30 report also detailed a separate but related enforcement action in Vietnam, where police dismantled a nationwide online gambling network that had leveraged the World Cup to run betting schemes. Over 26 suspects were arrested and a cache of devices, cash and digital records was seized.

Together, the snapshots illustrate a coordinated, multinational push to curb illicit activities—both aerial and digital—linked to the heightened global attention surrounding the 2026 World Cup.