During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disclosed that federal authorities intercepted nearly 2,000 drones as part of security operations across U.S. host cities. Mullin noted that security teams became so proficient that some drones were brought down before operators could even remove them from their vehicles.

"We got so good at [intercepting them], we started being able to bring them down before they even got out of the trunk of a car," Mullin said on Monday, July 21, 2026, during an appearance on "The Will Cain Show."

Authorities established no-fly zones extending three miles and 3,000 feet around stadiums, with additional restrictions of one mile and 1,000 feet around FIFA Fan Festivals. Security teams averaged more than 30 intercepted drones per match, excluding further incidents at fan festivals and post-game events.

Mullin also expressed concerns that some drone operators were intentionally probing security perimeters. "Some of them we felt like was actual a threat, that they were testing the perimeter. Those are some of the drones that we confiscated," he said. He added that some operators were licensed individuals attempting to push boundaries, while others posed more serious threats, including the use of vehicles in their operations.

The advanced technology employed allowed security teams to locate drone operators before many drones even took flight, even when launched from outside the established perimeter.

The World Cup concluded with Spain lifting the trophy on July 19, 2026, at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Sources