Overview
- The 2026 World Cup opens on June 11 and will stage 48 teams in 104 matches across 16 North American cities, requiring a coordinated security effort that spans stadiums, fan zones, hotels and transport hubs.
- Officials describe the operation as unprecedented, mobilizing more than 400 law‑enforcement and private security partners to share intelligence, protect venues and harden cyber and crowd‑safety defenses.
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told lawmakers the department is “a little behind” on counter‑drone defenses even though he said U.S. venues have been equipped with counter‑drone systems; the Secret Service has reported procurement delays tied to supply‑chain issues.
- FIFA confirmed a checkout error that temporarily allocated about 60 tickets at no charge and asked affected fans to complete payment within seven days, while New York and New Jersey attorneys general have subpoenaed FIFA over pricing and resale practices.
- Matchday changes and the tournament format will alter the fan experience: squads and new VAR/broadcast tech are locked in, both teams’ full matchday squads will line up in the centre circle before anthems, and the final at MetLife will include an NFL‑style half‑time show.