The FBI has seized more than 600 drones flying over restricted World Cup airspace in the United States since the tournament began in June, the agency announced on Saturday. The seizures occurred across all 11 US host cities, with 99 drones captured in Miami, 77 in Atlanta, and 32 in Kansas City.
Enforcement of Drone Restrictions
In a statement on X, the FBI confirmed that drones had been intercepted by the FBI and the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in every host city. Prior to the tournament, the FBI announced it would enforce Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone flight restrictions, including temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around stadiums and related game-watch sites.
Violations of TFRs can result in civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, up to one year in prison, and seizure of any drones involved. The FBI has generally kept its interception techniques—such as taking over control of drones or identifying operators on the ground—carefully guarded. However, the agency stated it was deploying “advanced, specialized drone mitigation teams and technology to monitor, track, and intercept unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near major restricted-airspace events.”
Widespread Noncompliance
The number of drones seized since the games began on 10 June suggests drone operators may not have heeded FBI warnings. Drone restrictions apply to three hours before and after a scheduled game. “Not only is flying drones in TFR zones illegal, it’s dangerous,” said Kansas City US attorney R. Matthew Price. “My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping our skies drone-free. If you see a drone breaking the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable” by the US Justice Department.
Among those arrested was one man charged with operating without an airman’s certificate after flying a drone over the Dallas stadium while a match was in progress. A second man was charged with owning an unregistered aircraft that was operated by another person. US attorney Ryan Raybould for the northern district of Texas told Dallas news outlet KDFW: “It is our duty to make sure that these fans as well as our great citizens … are protected from drone interference and potentially dangerous situations. If you operate a drone, you have a duty to know the law. And know that you cannot fly a drone over either Dallas Stadium or [an associated fan fest] during the World Cup. If you disregard this warning, you should expect to be prosecuted in federal court.”
Seizure Numbers by City
According to news reports, the number of drones seized over no-drone zones includes 48 in Los Angeles, 98 in Miami, 29 in Seattle, 63 in Dallas, 77 in Atlanta, 40 in New York, and 33 in Houston. Newark, which is near where the World Cup final is due to be held on 19 July, trails with just nine seizures.
Security Planning and Final Designation
Extensive security planning for the tournament has included FBI training exercises. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated $625 million to support security and emergency preparedness. However, only the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is designated a national special security event (NSSE). This designation triggers a federal operation led by the Secret Service, with intelligence from the FBI and emergency coordination by FEMA, including hardened security perimeters, magnetometer screening, TFRs enforced by the FAA, counter-drone systems, and continuous counter-terrorism monitoring by federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Cities in Mexico and Canada have also hosted World Cup games during the tournament.
