Is North America Ready? Security Questions Shadow 2026 World Cup

With just over 30 weeks until the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off, questions persist about how the United States, Canada, and Mexico will manage security. The 2026 edition of soccer’s biggest event is being billed as the biggest ever, and for good reason. It’s the first to feature 48 teams, a 16-nation increase and is also the first to be hosted in three countries. With such scale, it is impossible not to wonder about safety.

The past year and a half has only deepened those questions.

In June 2024, the United States hosted the Copa America final (South America’s largest soccer competition) in Miami, which was delayed for over an hour due to a security breach. The incident raised doubts about the country’s readiness for an even larger event.

President Trump has also made headlines by suggesting he might move games from certain host cities if he deems them unsafe. FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani responded that such decisions rest with FIFA, not the President. Considering the significant contractual agreements between individual cities and FIFA, it seems unlikely the President could actually move games without significant legal challenges.

In Mexico, the Associated Press reported this month on cartel threats, particularly in the state of Jalisco, where Guadalajara will host four matches. Officials have downplayed the risks, noting the successful hosting of a match between Mexico and Ecuador in October.

Canada has its own concerns. In April, 11 people were killed at Vancouver’s Lapu-Lapu Day festival. Shortly after, the city’s mayor addressed whether Vancouver was prepared for an event of the World Cup’s magnitude. Much like his Mexican counterparts, the mayor attempted to put a damper on concerns.

Amnesty International added to the growing questions in June with a report marking one year until kickoff. The organization raised issues with human rights protections in the host nations and challenged FIFA’s commitment to upholding international legal standards, citing ongoing issues with transparency, labor rights, and accountability.

While questions exist across the three nations, ready or not, an estimated 6.5 million fans are expected.

To each of the nation’s credit, there has been significant investment in security. In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) just announced over $1 billion in added support. North of the border, Canada will spend over $100 million in Toronto alone, while Mexico has already significantly invested in each of its three host cities’ infrastructure.

Additionally, in August, the three federal governments convened the first High-Level Trilateral Coordination Meeting. The discussions focused on countering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats through collaboration between government officials, industry leaders, and security experts. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to joint security planning, information sharing, and public-private cooperation to ensure a successful tournament.

Every host city also underwent FIFA’s risk evaluations and signed contracts, assuming responsibility for things including security. Protocols are extensive, and FIFA has significant experience managing global events. Still, given the unprecedented scale, safety will remain a central question until the final whistle blows.

Article Written by Will Baldwin

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