Analysts say the growing threat of “lone wolf” attackers — individuals acting independently without direct organizational support — has become one of the biggest security concerns surrounding the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run for nearly six weeks and feature 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Of those, 78 matches will be hosted in 11 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Security specialists believe the scale of the tournament, combined with massive crowd gatherings, will make ensuring public safety extremely challenging.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that only the final match will officially receive the designation of a “National Special Security Event,” meaning it will operate under the country’s highest level of federal security protection. However, other matches are also being treated as high-risk events and will be monitored closely by federal agencies.
Authorities have already allocated approximately $625 million for World Cup-related security and emergency preparedness efforts.
Experts say the stadiums themselves are relatively well protected as “hard targets,” but the greater concern lies with “soft targets” such as hotels, transportation hubs, fan festivals and large public viewing gatherings.
Each host city is expected to organize official FIFA fan festivals featuring concerts and live match screenings. In addition, thousands of unofficial watch parties are likely to take place, creating further challenges for security agencies.
Security analysts have also highlighted the growing threat posed by drones. Cheap and easy-to-operate drone technology could provide new opportunities for attackers. At the same time, cyberattacks and other technology-driven threats are becoming increasingly significant.
Another major concern is the lack of coordination among security agencies. Former CIA and FBI officer Tracy Walder warned that failures in intelligence sharing between agencies have contributed to major security breakdowns in the past.
Particular attention is being paid to a possible Iran versus United States match, which could reportedly take place in Texas on July 3, the eve of American Independence Day. Reports also suggest that members of the Saudi royal family are expected to be present in Houston during the same period.
Analysts believe such circumstances could intensify geopolitical tensions surrounding the tournament.
The FBI has already conducted nationwide security drills, while multiple federal and local agencies are working together on coordinated protection plans. However, experts caution that even a small security lapse could create the conditions for a major attack during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
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