Security discussions intensify over potential challenges to the biggest World Cup in history

Security discussions are intensifying as the 2026 World Cup approaches, amid preparations to host the largest edition in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches spread across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Although there are no official warnings regarding specific threats or intelligence suggesting imminent attacks, recent Western security reports and studies have highlighted the scale of the challenges the global event may face, with the tournament considered a potential target for a wide range of security risks, ranging from terrorism and violent extremism to cyberattacks and threats linked to drones.

World Cup security under the microscope

In a recent study entitled “The Terrorist Threat to the 2026 World Cup”, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) considered that the tournament represents an attractive target for those seeking to achieve widespread media impact, given the global audience that World Cup matches attract.

The report noted that potential threats are not limited to any specific group, but encompass a wide spectrum of security risks, including transnational jihadist groups, local extremists, entities backed by hostile states, and criminal organisations.

In this context, the report listed ISIS and its affiliates among the groups that continue to attract the attention of security agencies, citing previous incidents linked to the targeting of major sporting events or attempts to exploit them to generate global media coverage.

Concerns are not confined to the stadiums

One of the key points highlighted by the study is that the most likely scenario does not involve targeting the stadiums themselves, but rather the potential for less fortified targets to be at risk, such as fan zones, transport, hotels and public gatherings surrounding the matches.

The report also noted that the threat posed by ‘lone wolves’ and individuals who espouse extremist ideas without direct organisational links remains one of the scenarios that most concerns security agencies during major sporting events.

The challenge goes beyond traditional security concerns

For its part, The Guardian argued that the security challenge surrounding the 2026 World Cup is not limited to traditional security concerns, but is also linked to the tournament’s expanded scope, the multiple host cities and the unprecedented logistical and security challenges that accompany this.

The report noted that having three countries host the tournament and the competition spanning almost an entire continent requires high levels of coordination between security and intelligence agencies, at a time when concerns are mounting regarding cyberattacks, drones and attempts to disrupt tournament-related infrastructure.

The newspaper noted that security experts view transport hubs, airports and fan zones as the most sensitive locations during the tournament, compared to the stadiums, which will be subject to strict, multi-layered security measures.

World Cup — Security capabilities in the face of threats

The assessments contained in the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) study conclude that dealing with potential threats associated with the 2026 World Cup is based on the United States’ accumulated experience in managing major events, and advanced security capabilities that include counter-terrorism systems and the protection of large-scale events.

A report in The Guardian also concludes that the expanded scope of the tournament and the multiple host cities necessitate a higher level of security coordination between the three countries, and underscore the need for complex arrangements to address a wide range of risks, including terrorist threats, cyberattacks, drones and crowd control.

Featured image via Francisco Vega/Getty Images

By Alaa Shamali

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