The Department of Homeland Security announced a $115 million investment in counter-drone measures to protect FIFA World Cup venues and events tied to America’s 250th Anniversary. Officials cited rising drone threats following the war in Ukraine and recent airport incidents, but did not disclose which systems will be used. The move follows FEMA’s earlier $250 million award to 11 host states for counter-drone equipment. The funding aims to shore up security ahead of a major international sporting event.
U.S. Pledges $115M for Counter-Drone Defenses Ahead of FIFA World Cup and 250th Anniversary
FILE PHOTO: A giant model of the official Trionda pro match ball for the FIFA 2026 World Cup is displayed inside the Adidas store in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., January 7, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Jan 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on Monday it will invest $115 million in counter-drone measures to strengthen security around FIFA World Cup venues and events tied to America’s 250th Anniversary.
The funding is the latest sign that governments are stepping up defenses against drones amid concerns sparked by the war in Ukraine and a string of recent incidents at airports in Europe and the United States.
"We are entering a new era to defend our air superiority to protect our borders and the interior of the United States," the department said in a statement.
What the Funding Covers
DHS did not specify which technologies will be deployed at World Cup sites. Defense companies are developing a range of tools designed to detect and defeat hostile drones, including advanced tracking and identification software, directed-energy systems such as lasers, microwave countermeasures, and kinetic options.
Related Federal Support
The announcement follows an earlier decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award $250 million to 11 states hosting World Cup matches to help them acquire counter-drone equipment and other protective systems.
Local officials have urged stronger federal assistance for drone defenses. Last summer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on the White House to increase federal support for measures to protect critical sites and large public events from drone threats.
The World Cup will be a major security test, with more than a million visitors expected to attend matches in person and billions watching from abroad. DHS said the funds aim to bolster security at high-profile events and critical infrastructure, though it provided no detailed rollout plan.
(Reporting by David Jeans in New York; Editing by Joe Brock and Lisa Shumaker)
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