How FIFA Is Preparing for Drone Threats at the 2026 World Cup

Exclusive Interview with G.B. Jones, Chief Safety & Security Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026

In 2022, the FIFA World Cup Final drew 1.5 billion viewers and welcomed nearly 3.5 million fans on site. In 2026, the tournament will be even larger, spanning 12 host cities across North America, making security more complex than ever before. 

One of the fastest-growing threats facing major sporting events today is drones. Unmanned aerial systems can disrupt games, threaten public safety, and are increasingly difficult to detect and mitigate. 

To understand how FIFA is preparing, IDGA sat down with G.B. Jones, the executive responsible for protecting players, fans, and venues at the 2026 World Cup, for an exclusive interview on counter-UAS strategy and event security.

Read the interview and learn:

• How FIFA is assessing the drone threat landscape for a multi-venue, multi-nation tournament
• The key risks UAS pose to stadiums, crowds, and broadcast operations
• What must be in place before June 2026 to keep the World Cup secure
• How sporting bodies are working with security partners and governments to stay ahead of emerging threats