Key facts
- FBI Director Kash Patel described the World Cup as one of the biggest security challenges in U.S. history.
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended visa denials for the World Cup.
- The FBI is making terrorist attack prevention its top priority for the FIFA World Cup.
- The Joint Terrorism Task Forces are fully engaged in security planning for the tournament.
- The House failed to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
FBI Director Kash Patel has characterized the upcoming FIFA World Cup as potentially the largest security challenge in the history of the bureau, emphasizing the agency's commitment to preventing terrorist attacks. Patel stated that preventing incidents is the FBI's "job #1" during the tournament, which begins Thursday. He noted that extremists have historically targeted major global sporting events to spread ideologies and cause harm. The U.S., alongside Mexico and Canada, is hosting the event, with 78 matches scheduled across 11 U.S. cities, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces, comprising approximately 200 agencies, are actively involved in security planning, including background checks and intelligence operations. Patel asserted that the FBI is leveraging its extensive counterterrorism expertise and resources for the event. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the administration's decisions to deny visas for the World Cup, citing consultations with FIFA and security concerns. The security preparations come as the House of Representatives failed to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire. Speaker Mike Johnson criticized lawmakers who opposed the renewal, linking it to President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, which he described as a temporary measure.