FBI seizes 15 drones near Atlanta World Cup stadium as officials warn of major security threat

At least 15 drones have already been seized by FBI agents after operators flew them into restricted airspace around Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the bureau announced. The confiscations come as senior law enforcement officials across multiple agencies identify drones as the most serious threat to public safety at the tournament.

The FBI has imposed a blanket ban on all unmanned aerial systems near World Cup venues, with no exemptions granted for photographers or hobbyists. Operators caught flying in restricted zones face fines of up to $100,000 and potential federal charges. Video footage shows agents in tactical gear intercepting drones in no-go areas, and Congress has granted officers the authority to shoot down aircraft deemed to pose a threat, though the FBI says electronic dismantling is the preferred method to avoid injury from falling debris.

“Unsafe and improper use of a drone or other UAS poses a physical hazard to other aircraft and individuals on the ground and can violate federal law,” FBI Atlanta said in a statement.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch pointed to the conflict in Ukraine as a warning of what the technology is now capable of. “The war in Ukraine has become a real-world testing ground for drone technology, and if there is one threat that keeps me up at night, it is from drones,” she said.

FBI Assistant Director Devin Kowalski told the Associated Press that the agency is treating every drone encounter as a potential danger. “We’re aggressively locating its operator and conducting the logical investigation to determine the nature of the situation as well as to hold that person accountable,” he said.

The bureau launched a dedicated counter-drone training programme for local police officers in October 2025, and 70 graduates from that programme are now deployed across World Cup host cities. FBI Director Kash Patel has called the overall security operation “probably the biggest lift in FBI history, in American history.”

Despite those preparations, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin acknowledged gaps remain. Testifying before the House Homeland Security Committee, Mullin admitted, “On the counter-drone measures, everybody’s a little behind,” before adding, “Every single day, we improve. But that is a huge concern that we have.”

Atlanta is one of 11 United States cities hosting matches across the three-nation tournament, with a total of 78 games scheduled on American soil. The city’s first fixture of the competition is a group-stage match between Spain and Cape Verde.