Federal authorities on Wednesday shed light on how FIFA World Cup events were held safely while emphasizing their “zero tolerance policy” for drones during major sporting events, including the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 LA Olympics.
Officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Los Angeles office touted the World Cup events, attended by over 6.8 million visitors across the country, completed without a significant incident despite having more visitors than the 1994 World Cup. That’s partly because a lot of resources were poured into the games at 16 different host cities, according to Assistant Director Patrick Grandy, who is in charge of the FBI’s LA field office.
“There are over 5,000 FBI employees that participated in a variety of different ways in securing the games at the 16 different host cities,” Grandy said. “The FBI conducted over 300,000 background investigations on players, coaches and other accredited personnel that attended and worked at the FIFA games.”
During large events like the World Cup or natural disasters, the Federal Aviation Administration typically issues temporary flight restrictions.
Investigators looking to intercept any flying devices over no-fly zones intercepted and seized some 700 drones across the country, the FBI said.
“If you are out there and you’re flying a drone where you shouldn’t, we are going to seize the drone, and we’re going to find you. And the fine can go all the way up to $100,000,” Grandy warned.
Although most of the drone operators were cooperative with authorities, the FBI remains concerned that drones could be used as a tool for lone-wolf attacks.
“That is one of the biggest concerns that we face across the United States and one that we at the FBI work hard to combat against,” Grandy explained.
Also through the collective operation across the country, authorities arrested 80 human traffickers across the country while rescuing 33 minors from sex trafficking rings, including nine missing children, the FBI said.
During the 39-day event, the FBI Intelligence Center served as a hub for 400 law enforcement agencies from dozens of participating countries as well as hundreds of state and local officers. Being the “central repository of intelligence,” the FBI was able to provide investigators with an average of about 26 leads to follow up each day, Grandy explained.
He added, having learned lessons from the FIFA World Cup, the FBI is “full speed ahead” in preparing for the Super Bowl in February 2027 and the 2028 LA Olympics.
“We’re about to do what no other region has done really in the history of the U.S.,” Grandy said. “We are one of the host cities for FIFA World Cup games. Right after that, we have the Super Bowl. In between there, we’ll host the Grammys, Golden Globes and all the other special events. Hopefully, we’ll have a Dodgers World Series in there, too.”
Despite concerns that the LAPD’s staffing is insufficient to fully prepare for the 2028 Olympics when guests from 200 nations visit, Grandy said the FBI is working closely with its federal, state and international partners.
“We’ve got a fantastic city, fantastic region that we’re prepared to showcase here in Los Angeles and the Greater Los Angeles (area of responsibility),” Grandy said.
This story originally appeared on NBCLosAngeles.com.
