Key facts
- FEMA and Homeland Security are coordinating a multi-agency response for the World Cup.
- Operations include tracking security threats, managing public health, and combating criminal activity.
- Over 500 drones were confiscated as part of a large counter-drone operation.
- Federal efforts have also led to the recovery of missing children and fentanyl seizures.
- Visa was successfully issued for the mother of the Capo Verde goalkeeper.
Federal agencies, including FEMA and Homeland Security, are operating a central command center to manage security and public safety for the World Cup, extending their efforts beyond the sporting event itself. An FBI official provided updates on coordinating with federal, state, and local partners ahead of the July 4th holiday, while also monitoring security implications as national teams concluded their training camps. The operational reports detailed city-by-city preparations, such as managing clear weather for a sellout crowd in Boston and addressing heat-related illnesses in Houston. The State Department's representative reported from Mexico City on efforts to dismantle criminal groups targeting tourists and monitoring large fan gatherings. Despite a comprehensive checklist of potential issues, operational reports consistently indicated a positive status, with "All teams are green." Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup Task Force, lauded the behind-the-scenes work of FEMA and Homeland Security personnel, highlighting broader federal accomplishments. These included U.S. Marshals recovering 35 missing children, DEA fentanyl seizures, and public health operations led by Health and Human Services and the CDC. Giuliani also announced that the mother of the Capo Verde goalkeeper had successfully received a visa. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized the scale of the security operation, noting the confiscation of over 500 drones, which he described as the largest counter-drone effort for a sporting event in the U.S. He added that the tournament's security posture allowed law enforcement to pursue human trafficking networks, fentanyl traffickers, and counterfeit operations, as stable stadium security enabled a broader focus of resources.