Related videos:
The FBI and a wide array of federal, state, and local agencies presented their security plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Miami, with direct warnings regarding the use of drones and the access of ticketless fans to the tournament venues.
The press conference was held at the FBI headquarters in Miramar, Florida, and was led by Andrew Bailey, the Deputy Director of the FBI.
"The eyes of the world will be on South Florida, and the world will see this region at its absolute best," stated Bailey, as quoted by Local 10.
One of the most emphatic warnings was the prohibition of flying drones near the venues.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established no-fly zones around Hard Rock Stadium and the Fan Festival at Bayfront Park, prohibiting unauthorized flights within a three nautical mile radius of the stadium, up to 3,000 feet above ground level, on game days.
"We will detect and neutralize any unauthorized drone activity that threatens the matches and events of the Fan Festival," warned Bailey.
The penalties for violating this rule are severe.
"Includes civil penalties, fines of up to $100,000, up to one year in prison, and the confiscation of your drone," detailed Brett Skiles, special agent in charge of the FBI office in Miami.
Adam Stahl, the deputy administrator of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), was more direct: "We encourage you to enjoy the tournament, but please leave your drones at home," he stated, cited by El Nuevo Herald.
The Florida Legislature approved 16 million dollars to equip the FDLE with drone detection technology and radio frequency signals, as part of a total public investment in security that exceeds 80 million dollars in Florida.
Authorities also urged those without tickets not to approach the venues and to instead attend the designated events for fans.
Bailey refused to disclose specific tactics regarding how access to the stadium will be managed, but he was emphatic: "The law enforcement professionals accompanying us today, in collaboration with their federal colleagues, have the experience and intelligence required, as well as the appropriate personnel and equipment, to mitigate those risks."
This warning is directly related to the chaos that occurred during the final of the Copa América 2024 at the Hard Rock Stadium, when thousands of fans without tickets forced their way in, climbed fences, and caused a delay of over an hour in the start of the match between Argentina and Colombia.
In that incident, 27 people were arrested and 55 were expelled from the stadium, while several agents and security personnel sustained injuries.
The authorities identified three priority threats for the tournament: unauthorized drones, lone wolf attacks, and cybercrime.
The FBI clarified that there is currently no specific or credible threat against the tournament, although it warned about scams targeting online ticket buyers.
Regarding the possible presence of agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in stadiums, Bailey referred to the executive order signed by President Trump without providing operational details, amid contradictory signals among various authorities about the extent of their presence.
Miami will host seven matches of the 2026 World Cup at Hard Rock Stadium, which has a capacity of 65,000 people, from June 11 to July 18, including the third-place match.
"The number one priority of the FBI in Miami for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is really simple: to maintain a safe and secure environment for the teams, the fans, and the South Florida community," Skiles summarized.
Filed under: