Key facts
- FEMA has provided $250 million to U.S. cities and states for counter-drone measures.
- The counter-drone equipment acquired will remain in place after the World Cup.
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin acknowledged federal agencies are 'a little behind' in counter-UAS preparations.
- Mullin identified drone threats as a primary security concern for the World Cup.
- The funding for counter-drone measures was impacted by a partial government shutdown.
U.S. cities preparing to host the FIFA World Cup are undertaking a significant spending initiative on counter-drone technology, with federal funding aimed at protecting the event from airborne threats. FEMA has allocated $250 million to cities and states for these measures, with the equipment intended to remain in place after the tournament concludes.
Despite these efforts, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin testified that federal agencies are still "a little behind" in establishing comprehensive counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) capabilities across all World Cup venues. Mullin identified the threat of drones as his primary security concern for the massive sporting event.
Over the past year, federal agencies including DHS and the FBI have invested considerable resources in developing counter-UAS protocols for the 11 American host cities. DHS agencies will manage counter-drone operations at eight stadiums, while the FBI will cover three. Mullin noted recent improvements in DHS's ability to manage drone threats at large-scale events, citing successful interventions at the Miami Grand Prix and the Augusta golf tournament.
Mullin also highlighted concerns regarding the protection of "soft areas" outside stadium perimeters and emphasized the importance of local law enforcement cooperation. He attributed delays in counter-UAS preparations and the disbursement of FEMA funds partly to a recent partial government shutdown, which lasted 76 days and impacted the department's operational capacity. This funding slowdown has also affected longer-term counter-UAS plans for the 2028 Olympics.