FBI mobilizes tactical teams for 2026 World Cup

The FBI is mobilizing tactical teams and crisis response experts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.

The World Cup begins Thursday with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The first U.S. match is scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles, one of 11 U.S. cities hosting games during the 39-day tournament.

Patel said the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, known as CIRG, is leading the bureau’s support for security operations involving players, fans and visitors.

“Led by our Critical Incident Response Group, known as CIRG, we are bringing to the table the longstanding tactical expertise, elite training, and cutting edge tools and technology that are so vital to protecting high visibility sporting events such as the World Cup,” Patel said.

FBI units involved in the preparations include the Hostage Rescue Team, the bureau’s elite tactical unit, along with SWAT teams, bomb technicians, behavioral analysts, counter-UAS operators, crisis intelligence coordinators, crisis management specialists and tactical communicators.

Patel said teams across the country have been training, planning and coordinating for months. He said they are “fully equipped and ready to respond to a critical incident anytime, anywhere.”

“Make no mistake: We are prepared for any scenario,” Patel said. “We are making the full suite of our tactical and crisis response capabilities available to our law enforcement partners and are providing cross-training on multiple fronts to strengthen the entire team.”

The U.S. host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. Matches will also be played in Mexico and Canada.