Federal security officials are warning of drone incursions, potential lone-wolf attacks, and cyberattacks as the FIFA World Cup prepares to kick off across 11 U.S. cities next week, with the Department of Homeland Security acknowledging it is “struggling” with counter-drone capabilities heading into the tournament.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a House budget hearing Wednesday that drones represent his top security concern for the event. “The biggest concern I have is, honestly, with drone defense,” Mullin said. “It is one of the areas that we are struggling with every single day.”
Mullin said all 11 World Cup stadiums have been equipped with counter-drone systems, but conceded the federal government remains “a little behind” on defensive measures compared to its offensive drone capabilities. “We have spent a tremendous amount of ability and money to be able to be very offensive with drones, but on the counter-drone measures, everybody’s a little behind,” he said.
Mullin cited the agency’s 76-day government shutdown as a contributing factor to delayed preparations, saying the agency was forced to play catch-up on World Cup readiness after resuming operations. “After 76 days of being shut down… we had to start really focusing on FIFA because we were behind,” he said. “We’re not totally caught up.”
The FBI has established a special operations center at its Washington headquarters to centralize and analyze incoming threat data. The bureau has also deployed technology capable of disabling drones in flight and trained local law enforcement partners in counter-UAS operations. FBI co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey said seven officers from the South Florida area completed the bureau’s Counter Drone Training Program in Huntsville, Ala.
Approximately three million visitors are expected to attend World Cup matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Of the 104 total matches in the expanded tournament, 78 will be played in the U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency grants totaling $875 million were set aside for World Cup host cities. Distribution of those funds was delayed during the DHS shutdown. Mullin said approximately $6 billion in total FEMA funds have been released since he took office.
