Security experts say terrorism risk around the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States is higher, citing vulnerabilities at public “soft targets” and strain on federal counter-terrorism resources. Both outlets report that the threat picture is influenced by ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, and by the broader US-Israel conflict, which analysts say can affect extremist motivation and risk levels. The reporting also highlights concerns that intelligence and counter-terror expertise within federal law enforcement have been stretched, leaving agencies less able to identify and disrupt threats.
According to four counter-terrorism experts interviewed, the main danger comes from homegrown violent extremists, particularly lone actors. The experts describe how individuals may become radicalized online through extreme political content or jihadist material connected to groups such as Islamic State (IS). They warn that these types of attackers can be harder to detect.
The sources say US federal agencies are preparing security for the tournament’s matches across multiple cities and venues, with planning focused on addressing venue-specific vulnerabilities while managing limited counter-terror capacity.
