The FBI announced on Saturday that it has seized over 600 drones flying over restricted airspace during World Cup matches across the United States since the tournament kicked off in June. Among the captures, 99 were logged in Miami, 77 in Atlanta, and 32 in Kansas City, the agency disclosed via a statement on X.
The sweep, conducted jointly with the Department of Homeland Security, covered all 11 US host cities. The operation underscores the scale of unauthorized drone activity during a mega-event, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities at crowded venues.
Law enforcement did not specify how many of the drones were considered malicious versus recreational or commercial missteps. But the sheer volume — 600 devices — points to widespread noncompliance with federal airspace restrictions put in place for the tournament.
The crackdown likely signals a tightening of drone enforcement protocols for future large-scale events in the US. Organizers and regulators may face renewed calls for better public awareness campaigns and stronger detection technologies to prevent airspace breaches before they escalate.
Some civil liberties groups have questioned whether aggressive seizure practices infringe on hobbyist rights without adequate due process, suggesting a balance is needed between security and personal freedoms.