Homeland Security Secretary Says 2026 World Cup Safety in Jeopardy

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin said the safety of those attending the 2026 World Cup is in jeopardy. Mullin made the remarks in Kansas City, Missouri, which is scheduled to host six matches between June 16 and July 11. The former senator told reporters that his department, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, could still deliver security for the tournament.

He attributed gaps in preparation to a 76-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that ended last week. Mullin said the shutdown had affected security operations including drone activities and communications monitoring. He specifically noted that one-third of staff had left the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency during the funding lapse.

"We haven’t been able to be as proactive on putting those positions - those safety measures in place, and the first match is June 11," Mullin said. "The first one in the U.S., June 12. " Between five and seven million tourists are expected to travel to the United States for the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mullin reported that 90 percent of tickets have already sold out.

Mullin accused Democrats of putting visitor safety at risk after they refused to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security following the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. The shutdown ended after a spending bill was signed that reopened the department but did not include funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection.