U.S. to Enforce Strict No-Drone Rules and Expand Counter-Drone Powers for 2026 World Cup

U.S. cities. The Federal Aviation Administration will restrict airspace around and over the venues and fan events.

Violators can face fines up to $100,000, confiscation of their drones, and criminal charges for flying within three miles of the games. Congress granted state and local law enforcement the authority to electronically disable or shoot down threatening drones in December. The first option will be to disable the aircraft electronically and land them safely.

Key federal agencies already held similar powers before the new authorization. The FBI has spent the last seven years developing technology to identify and take control of drones. The bureau provided counter-drone training this year to law enforcement in all World Cup host cities.

The FBI is not planning to shoot down drones during the tournament because of risks from falling wreckage. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Congress that federal officers brought down eight drones over a Formula 1 race in Miami and 12 drones that entered the no-fly zone over the Masters golf tournament.

U.S. Coast Guard will lead security at several stadiums while the FBI protects three of them. When a drone enters a Temporary Flight Restricted area, authorities treat it as a potential threat and work to locate its operator, according to Kowalksi. The government distributed $250 million to help states prepare security for World Cup matches and large public events planned this summer to mark America’s 250th birthday.

The military tested counter-drone lasers along the Mexican border earlier this year. ” ATF Director Rob Cekada said the focus is now on the World Cup, but added that “the America 250 events, World Series, Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics aren’t far behind” and that high school and college games remain a concern for state and local partners.