Football fans, you’re being watched

More than 5 1 million fans It is expected To attend 2026 FIFA World Cup It takes place this summer at 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The stakes are high, and not just on the field.

Experts I was warned Growing terrorist concerns associated with the war in Iran could be used by the Trump administration to justify the deployment of invasive surveillance technologies without adequate safeguards. Moreover, there is Fears That US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has an array of advanced surveillance technologies in its arsenal – of Face recognition to Spyware– Strict immigration enforcement measures could be implemented during the tournament.

In turn, Human Rights Watch He urged FIFA seeks an “ICE Truce” for the duration of the event, even with the ICE Final Round Still uncertain.

“Security is often used as an excuse for agendas that have nothing to do with security at all — and in the Trump administration, that often means using surveillance systems to aid the administration’s arbitrary and unlawful deportation campaign,” Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, tells WIRED.

The ACLU led a coalition of more than 120 groups that issued a statement Travel warning to foreign nationals attending World Cup matches in the United States, warning, among other things, of “increased surveillance.” Indeed, the list of surveillance technologies scheduled to be deployed at the tournament is extensive, with drones and anti-drone systems expected to play a leading role.

Powerful technologies He says It signed a “multi-million dollar” deal with the US Department of Homeland Security to provide anti-drone kinetic technology to tournament venues in the US. Additionally, Sentrycs has reportedly done so Believer Multiple contracts with federal, state and local agencies to detect and neutralize drones. Axon’s anti-drone technology will also reportedly be used It is published In some places.

In January, DHS Announce Launching a new office specifically dedicated to the “rapid procurement and deployment of drone and counter-drone technologies,” as well as a $115 million investment in such capabilities to help secure the tournament and the country’s bicentenary celebrations. Federal Emergency Management Agency It was also awarded $250 million for the District of Columbia and the 11 states hosting the matches through a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) grant program.

“Many types of counter-drone technology focus on disrupting or intercepting radio signals from control devices such as phones,” says Jake Lapeyroc, deputy director of the Center for Democracy and Technology’s (CDT) Security and Surveillance Project. He adds, “It is important to be transparent about the possibility of any interception of phone data, and how the government will deal with this data if it is collected.”

In response to WIRED’s request for comment, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that “federal resources will be deployed alongside the 11 host cities to ensure the security of each match.” The spokesperson adds that the agency is “working around the clock with federal, state, local and international partners to ensure a safe and secure environment for players, fans and communities hosting these events.”

AI-based monitoring is also expected to play a central role during the World Cup.

Boston Stadium is Rolling AI-powered facial recognition technology prior to the tournament, allowing registered fans to enter the stadium and make purchases using their faces. Other World Cup stadiums that use similar technologies include: Miami stadiumand Atlanta stadium.

Moreover, there are two robot dogs equipped with AI-powered cameras will be published at the International Championship Broadcast Center in Dallas, while two others will be set at New York Stadium, New Jersey.

In anticipation of the tournament, Kansas City announced it last year Will pilot Face recognition on local buses.

“The expansion of facial recognition technology ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflects a broader global trend of using major sporting events to normalize biometric surveillance in everyday life,” says Clara Lilley, chief digital campaigns officer at Privacy International, which recently published a report. a report About the global deployment of this technology in football.