U.S Seizes Over 600 Drones Near World Cup Venues

U.S. authorities have confiscated more than 600 drones that entered restricted airspace around FIFA World Cup stadiums and fan zones since the tournament began on June 11, according to the Transportation Security Administration TSA.

The FBI reported that unauthorized drone activity has been detected in all 11 U.S. host cities. Miami recorded the highest number of seizures, with 130 drones confiscated, while more than 70 drones were seized in Dallas during just five matches.

Strict no-fly restrictions are in place on match days. Unauthorized aircraft, including drones, are prohibited within a three-nautical-mile radius of stadiums and up to 3,000 feet 914 meters above ground level unless operators receive approval from air traffic controllers. Similar restrictions apply to fan zones, where drones are banned within a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level.

Officials warned that violating these restrictions can result in fines of up to $100,000, criminal charges, and the seizure of the drone. The FBI has deployed specialized teams around World Cup venues to detect and disable unauthorized drone operations.

Last week, prosecutors charged 40-year-old Mexican national Cristobal Torres Alvarez with operating a drone in restricted airspace near the Dallas stadium before a World Cup match.

The heightened enforcement follows broader efforts by the U.S. government to strengthen defenses against unauthorized drones. In 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at improving the nation’s ability to counter potentially threatening drone activity. The Department of Homeland Security has also installed new counter-drone systems along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.

Unauthorized drone flights have disrupted major sporting events in recent years. In 2025, a man pleaded guilty after flying a drone into restricted defense airspace over a National Football League playoff game in Baltimore.