Overview
- Federal, state and local teams have logged more than 1,100 drone detections and carried out over 300 mitigations at World Cup sites, and the FBI says it has seized and is processing more than 500 drones as evidence.
- Local enforcement has been active in host cities, with the FBI reporting 76 drones seized in Atlanta for flights inside the event restriction zones and at least one federal criminal case opened.
- The security campaign uses tools such as radio jamming and net‑capture systems, expanded classified tracking capabilities, and specialized training funded by several hundred million dollars to help local police enforce temporary flight restrictions.
- Authorities say the vast majority of intercepted pilots appear inexperienced and unaware of bans, and violators face equipment forfeiture, civil fines up to $100,000 and potential criminal charges that can include prison time.
- Officials emphasize prevention and evidence preservation but acknowledge gaps in detecting non‑broadcasting drones and in attributing operators, and they have not publicly shown that seized drones were fitted with weapons.