DHS Intercepted Nearly 2,000 Drones During World Cup, Officials Say

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin disclosed Monday that federal security teams successfully intercepted nearly 2,000 drones during the FIFA World Cup, with some devices brought down before operators could even remove them from vehicles. Speaking on “The Will Cain Show,” Mullin emphasized the effectiveness of the interdiction efforts, noting that security personnel had achieved the capability to detect and disable aircraft before they became airborne. The scale of the operation underscored the federal government’s comprehensive approach to tournament security across multiple host cities.

According to Mullin, authorities confiscated approximately 700 drones while disabling nearly 2,000 total. Security teams maintained no-fly zones extending three miles vertically and 3,000 feet around stadiums, with additional one-mile and 1,000-foot restrictions around FIFA Fan Festivals. On average, security personnel intercepted more than 30 drones per match, separate from incidents occurring at fan venues and after games concluded.

Many of the drones belonged to spectators seeking aerial views of matches, but officials grew concerned about operators deliberately probing security perimeters. Mullin stated that some confiscated devices appeared designed to test defensive capabilities, while others were piloted by licensed operators who knowingly violated restrictions. He suggested some operators were attempting to identify security perimeter locations and assess federal response capabilities.

Beyond drone threats, federal, state and local authorities prevented an imminent attack targeting a World Cup Fan Fest involving vehicles, Mullin revealed without disclosing the location. He credited coordination among federal partners with thwarting the unspecified threat, though he declined to provide additional operational details.