U.S. Allocates $365 Million for Drone Security at 2026 World Cup Venues

Federal agencies have committed $365 million to counter-drone security for the 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The funding includes $250 million from FEMA allocated to the 11 states hosting matches and $115 million from the Department of Homeland Security for technology at tournament venues.

The spending addresses growing concerns that small autonomous drones, already used in conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, could threaten crowded stadiums. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said unauthorized drone activity poses risks to aviation safety, law enforcement operations and attendee security.

At venues such as MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Fortem Technologies will operate radar systems that can launch a DroneHunter interceptor to capture suspicious drones with a net. The captured aircraft can then be lowered by tether or parachute for law enforcement recovery.

Ondas Holdings, which has a $6.7 billion market cap, plans to install its Sentrycs system in California, Massachusetts and Florida. The sensor-based platform detects the radio link between a drone and its operator, then can assume control of the aircraft to force a landing in a designated area.

Before that change, statutes modeled on the Aircraft Sabotage Act largely prevented law enforcement from interfering with aircraft in U.S. airspace. The new legal framework has accelerated commercial activity. DroneShield systems will monitor low-altitude airspace around matches in Kansas City.

Motorola Solutions agreed earlier this month to acquire Israel-based D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion.

, said the absence of a major domestic drone incident has masked existing vulnerabilities. Jon Gruen, CEO of Fortem Technologies, noted that recent attacks on civilian infrastructure have increased pressure on event organizers to adopt proactive measures.

The companies hold multimillion-dollar federal contracts tied to the tournament. Fortem received a $25 million investment from Lockheed Martin in April to expand manufacturing. Ondas acquired Sentrycs for $225 million in November.

“We don't want to start doing the work after a bad event happens. Nobody's going to go to a game again until that threat is mitigated.”

Rep. Michael McCaul introduced the Guard the Skies Act to give the National Guard authority to respond to more advanced drone threats. The Pentagon's latest budget proposal allocates more than $74 billion to drone-related programs.