Gearing up for the world stage

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to draw millions of visitors to venues and fan zones across the United States this summer, federal officials say security preparations are entering a critical phase. The Department of Homeland Security has assigned Special Event Assessment Ratings of Level 1 and 2 to all 78 U.S.-based matches, a designation the agency says reflects the event’s scale and complexity and represents a 240% increase in similarly rated events compared with an average year.

More than 20 states are involved in some part of the tournament footprint in the United States, from matches and team base camps to Fan Fests and training sites. As part of a government-wide effort, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is coordinating with federal, state, and local partners and private operators to bolster readiness and streamline communications ahead of the opening whistle.

Seattle offers a window into that approach. In recent months, CISA worked with local authorities and venue and transit operators on a series of drills intended to test plans and clarify roles before match days. At Lumen Field, the agency supported a full-scale exercise that simulated a live-event environment and pressed participants to respond to fast-moving scenarios.

The stadium exercise drew more than 460 participants from over 25 organizations, according to CISA. The scripted challenges—ranging from disruptive fan behavior and pyrotechnics concerns to sudden crowd surges—were designed to force rapid, coordinated decisions among public safety agencies, stadium management, transit teams, and first responders. Officials used the event to validate emergency plans, stress-test communications, and identify improvements.

Recognizing that safe operations extend beyond the stadium, CISA and regional partners also focused on transportation. A tabletop exercise in February was followed by an April functional drill that put plans into action, including information-sharing protocols, evacuation decision-making, and restoring disrupted service. The goal was to rehearse how to move tens of thousands of spectators through the area during high-visibility events.

CISA frames the World Cup work as part of its broader mandate to safeguard critical infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of both digital and physical systems that underpin daily life. The agency is also tying these efforts to this year’s semiquincentennial observance, noting that enhanced coordination and preparedness are central to ensuring communities can gather and celebrate major milestones safely.

Organizations seeking guidance on large-scale event security and readiness can find resources at cisa.gov/FIFAWC.