The World Cup security buildout won’t end when the games do

The security infrastructure being built for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will extend beyond the tournament's conclusion in July. Unauthorized drone incursions over NFL stadiums have surged dramatically, increasing 42x from 67 in 2018 to 2,845 in 2023, according to NFL security chief Cathy Lanier. This rise prompted significant federal investment in drone defense for the World Cup. The U.S. federal government has allocated over $1 billion to World Cup security, including a $625 million FIFA World Cup program for general preparedness and a $500 million Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems program specifically for drone threats. The first $250 million of the drone program funds have already been distributed to host states. The Department of Homeland Security created a dedicated Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in January, and President Donald Trump established a White House task force via executive order to address these threats. The scale of investment and technology deployed for the World Cup aims to create a robust defense against aerial threats, but the long-term plan for these security measures after the tournament remains a significant question.