Federal agencies have seized more than 300 drones near FIFA World Cup sites across the U.S. since the tournament began on June 11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed to Front Office Sports on Tuesday.
“The federal government, led by the White House Task Force, and in partnership with FBI, DHS/TSA, FAA, and state/local law enforcement have implemented the most comprehensive airspace security and drone mitigation effort in U.S. history for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement to FOS. “Enforcement is swift and proactive.”
On match days, all aircraft, including drones, are prohibited within three nautical miles of stadiums and up to 3,000 feet above ground unless specifically authorized by air traffic control.
From June 11 to June 16, the Department of Homeland Security recorded 145 drone incursions across eight host cities, according to Politico. The initial count covered Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. It did not include activity in Miami, Los Angeles, or New Jersey. A representative from the FBI Newark Field Office told FOS that seven drones had been seized near New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium as of Tuesday.
