FBI intercepts 28 drones at World Cup venues amid terror fears

The FBI grabbed at least 28 unauthorized drones out of the sky near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles over the course of a single week, as federal law enforcement ramps up an aggressive counter-drone campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The seizures, reported as of June 18, 2026, came alongside similar operations in Atlanta and Kansas City.

In a separate but related case, the FBI arrested five suspects who were allegedly plotting to deploy explosive-laden drones at a UFC event near the White House. The plan, according to investigators, involved using the drones to create chaos and funnel crowds toward sniper positions.

Drones down from coast to coast

The 28 drones seized near SoFi Stadium and the LA Memorial Coliseum fan festival were part of a broader enforcement sweep targeting operators who violated temporary flight restrictions, known as TFRs. These are federally mandated no-fly zones established around major events, and flying a drone into one is illegal.

In Atlanta, the FBI’s field office reported seizing between 21 and 26 drones from unauthorized operators during World Cup matches. Kansas City saw its own incident on June 17, 2026, when agents intercepted eight drones during tournament events. Two operators in Kansas City received formal violation notifications.

The FBI has been running a public awareness campaign called “No Drone Zone” to educate people about the flight restrictions.

The White House drone plot

The five suspects arrested in connection with the White House UFC event plot were accused of fitting drones with explosives and using them to attack attendees at a high-profile event. The alleged plan had a layered tactical design: use the drone explosions to cause panic, then direct fleeing crowds toward predetermined sniper positions.

What this means for World Cup security and beyond

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition of the tournament ever staged, featuring 48 teams playing across multiple cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

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