World Cup poses security challenge

The largest sporting event ever staged arrives at a moment of heightened geopolitical tension and growing fears of AI-fuelled disruptions, presenting security planners with an unprecedented challenge


NUMBER OF MATCHES
Total
104
U.S.
78
Host cities:
11
Canada
13
Cities: 2
Mexico
13
Cities: 3

CANADA
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
Vancouver
Toronto
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Kansas City
Dallas
Houston
Atlanta
Miami
Boston
Philadelphia
Monterrey
Guadalajara

CANADA
Security efforts led by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alongside provincial and municipal police, backed by up to $145 million in federal funding for Toronto and Vancouver

UNITED STATES
Around 7 million visitors expected during World Cup, with each match given same high-level federal security designation as Super Bowl, ensuring federal, state and local coordination

Security costs: $625 million allocated to 11 U.S. host cities, with additional $250m directed to counter-drone technology

Drones: Unauthorised aircraft prohibited within 5.5km of stadiums and 1.8km of fan zones. FBI-trained state and local police will detect and disable hostile drones

AI: AI-generated videos are key concern, with fears they could be used to spread misinformation and panic – FBI-led joint operations centres in each host city will coordinate security threats in real time

ICE Agent: Organisers say there will be no immigration raids at World Cup matches, though authorities may take action against individuals suspected of crimes

International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC), Washington DC: Police from participating nations share intelligence and monitor threats

MEXICO

Plan Kukulcán: Security plan named after Maya feathered serpent deity, deploying around 100,000 personnel across three host cities, including roughly 20,000 military personnel and 55,000 police and supporting security staff

K9-X robot: Police in Monterrey to deploy robot dogs to patrol and transmit live video to security forcesMember of Mexican Army’s special anti-drone battalion tasked with protecting venues

Tijuana: Iran’s team training base relocated to Mexico from U.S. amid security concerns

OPENING
Mexico City
Estadio Azteca

FINAL: New York / New Jersey
MetLife Stadium

Sources: AP, Reuters, BBC, FIFA
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images
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