Robot dogs and hunter drones: Inside the massive security operation protecting the 2026 World Cup

Robot dogs, hunter drones, and AI cameras: the tech securing the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup deploys Boston Dynamics robot dogs, net-shooting hunter drones, and AI cameras across 16 cities. FEMA distributed $875M for security. The 2026 World Cup kicks off next week across 16 cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada. It is the largest in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, 39 days. It is also the most technologically surveilled sporting event ever staged, with robot dogs, net-shooting hunter drones, and thousands of AI-powered cameras deployed across venues and fan zones. "It's 78 Super Bowls over 39 days," said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trump's World Cup task force. FEMA has distributed $625 million to the 11 US host cities, with an additional $250 million earmarked for tracking and neutralising suspect drones. Boston Dynamics' Spot robot dogs are patrolling AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as part of a "Security Spot" initiative by owner Hyundai. The company says it is deploying "its largest and most advanced mobility fleet to date," making it the first official partner to provide robotics for the tournament. The robots will inspect suspicious packages and hazardous materials. Sightings of the quadrupeds sparked immediate surveillance fears. Rumours spread on social media that the dogs were scanning faces. Boston Dynamics told Chron that the robots "do not have facial recognition capabilities." But the optics of robotic security patrols at a sporting event drew comparisons to the Black Mirror episode "Metalhead." Mexico is deploying four robot dogs called K9-X across its three World Cup venues. Officials told Wired the robots will intervene in fights or drunken incidents to protect officers. Technical details and the manufacturer were not disclosed. Drones are the top concern. "If there is one threat that keeps me up at night, it is from drones," said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Drones are banned over stadiums and fan zones. Counter-drone technology has become one of the fastest-growing segments in defence tech, and the FBI says it has a "full suite of options" to thwart incursions. One of those options comes from Fortem, which claims to have signed a multimillion-dollar DHS contract for quadcopters that shoot nets at encroaching drones to trap them in midair. DHS declined to discuss the contract. AI-generated misinformation is another concern. Officials warned that state actors could use deepfake videos to sow panic. The FBI will activate joint operations centres in each host city on match days. "If there's a video that shows an explosion going off at a site, and it's AI generated, we have people on the ground who can validate whether or not that's true," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Amit Kachhia-Patel. In Dallas, a $120 million tech upgrade gives police body cameras with real-time translation, helping officers communicate with international visitors. Several drone detection startups are also joining federal efforts to secure the skies. The security apparatus comes against a tense backdrop. The US-Israel war with Iran has changed the threat picture since planning began. Human rights groups have raised concerns about ICE presence at venues. And the Secret Service, in charge of protecting world leaders who attend, is understaffed by about 860 agents, according to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "We're as prepared as we can be," Giuliani said. The unspoken bet is that the tech will make up the difference.

The World Cup Poses an Unprecedented Security Challenge at a Fraught Moment. Is the US Ready?

NEW YORK (AP) -- The World Cup, a 48-team, 104-match behemoth kicking off next week across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, presents an unprecedented security challenge, with more countries, games and a larger footprint than ever before. It also comes against the backdrop of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, mounting political violence in President Donald Trump's orbit and growing fears of artificial intelligence-fueled disruptions, creating a complex threat environment for authorities. Overseeing the sprawling security apparatus is a legion of federal agencies, state and local police departments and private entities. Their responsibilities range from securing stadiums and fan zones to escorting teams and protecting dignitaries. Their tools include hunter drones that can shoot nets over objects in restricted airspace, bag-inspecting robot dogs, giant X-ray trucks and thousands of AI-powered cameras trained on public spaces soon to be thronged by fans. In the U.S., it's "78 Super Bowls over 39 days," said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trump's World Cup task force, which is overseeing the multiagency effort. "There's never been a summer like this in American history from a security angle," said Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "We're as prepared as we can be." An unprecedented security collaboration The tournament has the same high-level federal security designation as the Super Bowl, just below a presidential inauguration or a national political convention, ensuring federal, state and local coordination. It coincides with other major events linked to the 250th anniversary of America's founding. So far, Giuliani said, there are no credible threats. The Department of Homeland Security, focused on Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown and hit by a funding lapse only recently resolved, estimates up 7 million people will visit the U.S. for the World Cup. The U.S. Secret Service, under scrutiny after security breaches and attempts on Trump's life, is in charge of protecting world leaders who show up to cheer on their countries. Trump has expressed interest in attending a match. "I feel very comfortable where we're at, and we feel like we have a zero-fail mission," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Congress this week, noting that the Secret Service was understaffed by about 860 agents. "But it's going to be complicated." Officials have indicated they are confident they can keep Trump safe because they will be integrating his usual security into the robust World Cup plan on days he may watch a match. The FBI has spent two years developing its security plan, incorporating lessons from other major events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year's Eve ball drop in New York and testing them at smaller ones, including last week's Israel Day parade in the city. "We prepare for the worst day," FBI Special Agent in Charge Amit Kachhia-Patel in New York told The Associated Press. "And that's how we go into any single event." To help cover security costs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed $625 million to the 11 U.S. host cities. An additional $250 million is being directed toward tracking and neutralizing suspect drones. The disbursement of those funds was held up by the department's funding delay, which the Republican administration has argued hindered security planning. Others involved in the planning effort said the federal government could have played a more hands-on role even before the shutdown. John Cohen, a former senior DHS official who has been briefing state leaders before the matches, said the government was largely absent from planning meetings last year and did not begin sharing threat intelligence with host regions until recently. "With an event of this magnitude, one would expect the federal government would've played a more active role," Cohen said. "It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase that collaboration." Evolving threats from drones and AI In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security gathered for exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks and mass shootings. A month later, the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran. "The security picture fundamentally changed," said Stefano Ritondale, chief intelligence officer at Artorias, a defense intelligence company not involved in the security preparations. "There's a major difference in preparing for a lone wolf radical who rams his car into a public place and a terrorist who is bankrolled by a foreign country we're at war with." Among the greatest concerns are drones. Since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, drones have become a prominent weapon in conflicts including Russia's war in Ukraine and Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. "If there is one threat that keeps me up at night, it is from drones," said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, whose department is partnering with the FBI on drone mitigation. Drones are prohibited over stadiums and fan zones, and Kachhia-Patel said the FBI has a "full suite of options" to thwart incursions. They include agents monitoring the sky and a "variety of means" to safely down the devices, he said without elaborating. Before this year's World Cup, the growing sophistication of AI videos was a particular concern, with officials warning that state actors can harness the technology to sow misinformation and panic. On match days, the FBI will activate joint operations centers in each host city, bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to monitor and investigate threats. "If there's a video that shows an explosion going off at a site, and it's AI generated, we have people on the ground who can validate whether or not that's true," said Kachhia-Patel. A scoring opportunity for private tech Some AI companies have pitched themselves to police departments in host cities, promising to comb through data and surveillance on game days to prevent threats, including unruly fan behavior. "We know sports fanaticism around here in terms of the NFL and baseball to some extent, but nothing like international soccer," said Jake Becchina, a police spokesperson in Kansas City, Missouri, which is hosting six matches. The department has contracted with Peregrine Technologies, which promises to sift through police data and publicly available information such as team practice locations and the country affiliation of popular bars, to get ahead of possible conflict. In Dallas, a recent $120 million tech upgrade will give local police body cameras capable of real-time translations, helping law enforcement communicate with international visitors soon to descend on the region. Several drone detection and mitigation companies are joining efforts to help federal agencies secure the skies. One of those companies, Fortem, has claimed to have signed a multimillion-dollar contract with DHS before the World Cup for an unusual drone mitigation strategy: quadcopters that can shoot nets at encroaching drones to trap them in midair. A spokesperson for DHS declined to discuss the contract. Just as the teams will aim to perform their best on the pitch, Giuliani said the security planning was a unique chance to "show off American exceptionalism." "If we do our job right," Giuliani added, "nobody will be talking about security at the World Cup." ____ Santana reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington contributed to this report.

FIFA World Cup 2026 poses biggest security challenge for U.S, Canada, Mexico. Is Donald Trump administration ready to host global soccer event safely in North America?

FIFA World Cup 2026, a 48-team, 104-match behemoth kicking off next week across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, presents an unprecedented security challenge, with more countries, games and a larger footprint than ever before. It also comes against the backdrop of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, mounting political violence in President Donald Trump's orbit and growing fears of artificial intelligence-fueled disruptions, creating a complex threat environment for authorities. Overseeing the sprawling security apparatus is a legion of federal agencies, state and local police departments and private entities. Their responsibilities range from securing stadiums and fan zones to escorting teams and protecting dignitaries. Their tools include hunter drones that can shoot nets over objects in restricted airspace, bag-inspecting robot dogs, giant X-ray trucks and thousands of AI-powered cameras trained on public spaces soon to be thronged by fans. In the U.S., it's "78 Super Bowls over 39 days," said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trump's World Cup task force, which is overseeing the multiagency effort. "There's never been a summer like this in American history from a security angle," said Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "We're as prepared as we can be." An unprecedented security collaboration The tournament has the same high-level federal security designation as the Super Bowl, just below a presidential inauguration or a national political convention, ensuring federal, state and local coordination. It coincides with other major events linked to the 250th anniversary of America's founding. So far, Giuliani said, there are no credible threats. The Department of Homeland Security, focused on Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown and hit by a funding lapse only recently resolved, estimates up 7 million people will visit the U.S. for the World Cup. The U.S. Secret Service, under scrutiny after security breaches and attempts on Trump's life, is in charge of protecting world leaders who show up to cheer on their countries. Trump has expressed interest in attending a match. "I feel very comfortable where we're at, and we feel like we have a zero-fail mission," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Congress this week, noting that the Secret Service was understaffed by about 860 agents. "But it's going to be complicated." Officials have indicated they are confident they can keep Trump safe because they will be integrating his usual security into the robust World Cup plan on days he may watch a match. The FBI has spent two years developing its security plan, incorporating lessons from other major events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year's Eve ball drop in New York and testing them at smaller ones, including last week's Israel Day parade in the city. "We prepare for the worst day," FBI Special Agent in Charge Amit Kachhia-Patel in New York told The Associated Press. "And that's how we go into any single event." To help cover security costs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has distributed $625 million to the 11 U.S. host cities. An additional $250 million is being directed toward tracking and neutralizing suspect drones. The disbursement of those funds was held up by the department's funding delay, which the Republican administration has argued hindered security planning. Others involved in the planning effort said the federal government could have played a more hands-on role even before the shutdown. John Cohen, a former senior DHS official who has been briefing state leaders before the matches, said the government was largely absent from planning meetings last year and did not begin sharing threat intelligence with host regions until recently. "With an event of this magnitude, one would expect the federal government would've played a more active role," Cohen said. "It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase that collaboration." Evolving threats from drones and AI In January, thousands of officials involved in World Cup security gathered for exercises simulating crowd surges, vehicle attacks and mass shootings. A month later, the U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran. "The security picture fundamentally changed," said Stefano Ritondale, chief intelligence officer at Artorias, a defense intelligence company not involved in the security preparations. "There's a major difference in preparing for a lone wolf radical who rams his car into a public place and a terrorist who is bankrolled by a foreign country we're at war with." Among the greatest concerns are drones. Since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, drones have become a prominent weapon in conflicts including Russia's war in Ukraine and Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. "If there is one threat that keeps me up at night, it is from drones," said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, whose department is partnering with the FBI on drone mitigation. Drones are prohibited over stadiums and fan zones, and Kachhia-Patel said the FBI has a "full suite of options" to thwart incursions. They include agents monitoring the sky and a "variety of means" to safely down the devices, he said without elaborating. Before this year's World Cup, the growing sophistication of AI videos was a particular concern, with officials warning that state actors can harness the technology to sow misinformation and panic. On match days, the FBI will activate joint operations centers in each host city, bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to monitor and investigate threats. "If there's a video that shows an explosion going off at a site, and it's AI generated, we have people on the ground who can validate whether or not that's true," said Kachhia-Patel. A scoring opportunity for private tech Some AI companies have pitched themselves to police departments in host cities, promising to comb through data and surveillance on game days to prevent threats, including unruly fan behavior. "We know sports fanaticism around here in terms of the NFL and baseball to some extent, but nothing like international soccer," said Jake Becchina, a police spokesperson in Kansas City, Missouri, which is hosting six matches. The department has contracted with Peregrine Technologies, which promises to sift through police data and publicly available information such as team practice locations and the country affiliation of popular bars, to get ahead of possible conflict. In Dallas, a recent $120 million tech upgrade will give local police body cameras capable of real-time translations, helping law enforcement communicate with international visitors soon to descend on the region. Several drone detection and mitigation companies are joining efforts to help federal agencies secure the skies. One of those companies, Fortem, has claimed to have signed a multimillion-dollar contract with DHS before the World Cup for an unusual drone mitigation strategy: quadcopters that can shoot nets at encroaching drones to trap them in midair. A spokesperson for DHS declined to discuss the contract. Just as the teams will aim to perform their best on the pitch, Giuliani said the security planning was a unique chance to "show off American exceptionalism."