FBI seizes over 400 drones from restricted airspace at FIFA World Cup, 4 charged
FBI battles drones at World Cup venues
Fox News host Jon Scott describes the FBI’s fight to protect World Cup venues from drone threats after 19 drones were detected in no-fly zones. Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker warned of federal charges against the operators. Citing a recently foiled UFC terrorist plot, he highlights the potential of drones to deliver explosives and details the FBI’s advanced response technology and training programs for local police.
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The FBI says authorities have seized more than 400 unauthorized drones in 11 U.S. cities hosting the tournament, while four people face federal charges for allegedly flying drones into restricted airspace at FIFA World Cup events.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, the suspects Huu An Nguyen Dinh, John Alexander Meza, Patrick Heer and Jordan Lee Zale are accused of violating Temporary Flight Restrictions established around FIFA World Cup venues.
According to the FBI, Dinh had been warned by police just days before he allegedly flew a drone into restricted airspace.
The FBI’s Houston field office used these cases to send a public warning to anyone considering launching a drone near a World Cup game or official fan event.
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A lot of drones are flying in the sky. (iStock/Getty Images)
“Don’t you want to get federally charged? Then don’t fly in #DroneZone!” the agency wrote in a social media post explaining the accusations.
The federal charges are the latest sign that authorities are aggressively enforcing airspace restrictions around World Cup venues across the country.
“Due to unprecedented law enforcement coordination, these FBI and our DHS partners have seized more than 400 UAVs from restricted airspace in all 11 U.S. host cities since the start of the FIFA World Cup tournament,” the bureau said in a separate statement. he said.
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Transportation Security Administration I previously told FOX Local The federal government, led by the White House Task Force and working with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, TSA, Federal Aviation Administration, and state and local law enforcement, has launched a coordinated airspace security and drone mitigation operation for the tournament.
“Unauthorized drone flights in restricted areas are a serious violation of federal law,” a TSA spokesperson said in a statement to FOX Local. he said. “Operators may face fines of up to $100,000, drone seizure and federal criminal charges. Enforcement is swift and proactive.”
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US fans had pleasant moments before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between Türkiye and the USA, which will be played on June 25, 2026 at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The FAA has designated every World Cup stadium and official fan event as a “No Drone Zone,” warning that “unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited in the designated airspace and surrounding areas.” During major sporting events, the agency establishes Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs, to secure the airspace around venues and protect players, fans, teams and law enforcement operations.
Restrictions extend beyond stadiums. The FAA also imposed temporary drone bans around official fan festival areas in host cities, including Houston’s East Downtown District, Dallas Fair Park, New York’s Rockefeller Center, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Philadelphia’s Lemon Hill Park. The agency says additional restrictions may also be in place around team hotels, training grounds and other tournament-related locations.
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Federal officials warn the consequences could be severe. According to the FAA, operators who violate these restrictions “may face” fines of up to $75,000 per violation, fines of up to $100,000, seizure of their drones, and federal criminal prosecution. The agency also rolled out the Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response, or DETER, initiative to speed up investigations during the World Cup.
Fans pass through security during a U.S. Men’s National Team community practice at Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine on June 8, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images)
The nationwide crackdown has already led to dozens of enforcement actions in multiple host cities.
Houston has seen 28 drone seizures since the start of World Cup events, according to the FBI. The total in Seattle rose to 22 after agents seized six drones from operators violating flight restrictions on June 24. In Dallas, the FBI recently announced that agents seized four drones that allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions over AT&T Stadium and the city’s FIFA Fan Festival.
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Kansas City was also the scene of a major enforcement operation on June 18, when federal authorities stopped eight drones during FIFA World Cup events after the operators allegedly violated Temporary Flight Restrictions, according to the TSA. The FBI seized all eight drones and their controllers, while two drone operators were issued misdemeanor violation notices. The counter-drone operation also led to the arrest of a woman wanted on six outstanding warrants, authorities said.
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USA fans celebrate as Australia’s Cameron Burgess scores an own goal to give the USA its first score in a FIFA World Cup Group Stage – Group D match at the House of USA Soccer in Venice, California, on June 19, 2026. (William Navarro/Imagn Images)
U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price said following the Kansas City operation: “Flying drones in TFR zones is not only illegal, it is dangerous. My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping drones free in the skies.” “If you see a drone violating the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”
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The warning was echoed by FBI field offices across the country.
In Seattle, the office warned fans: “Planning on flying your drone at a World Cup match? Think again!” The FBI warned that “Temporary Flight Restrictions will be in place around World Cup stadiums and fan festivals” and that “flying drones in these areas is prohibited and a federal crime.”
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The bureau also urged drone operators to “always check or visit airspace restrictions using FAA-approved B4UFLY applications.” tfr.faa.gov” before flying and encouraged the public to “immediately report unsafe drone activity to 1-800-CALL-FBI.”
Fox News’ Stephanie Weaver contributed to this report.
