How police quietly took control of rogue World Cup drones

When millions of soccer fans packed stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the biggest security challenges wasn’t on the ground — it was in the air.

Unauthorized drones have become a growing concern at major sporting events, capable of disrupting matches, invading restricted airspace, or even posing security risks. This year’s tournament saw one of the largest coordinated counter-drone operations ever conducted, with more than 20 public safety agencies deploying D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir system to protect stadiums, surrounding venues, and critical infrastructure.

Unlike traditional counter-drone systems that rely on radio-frequency jamming or kinetic methods such as net guns or interceptor drones, EnforceAir takes a different approach. The platform uses radio-frequency cyber technology to take control of unauthorized drones and guide them to a safe landing without interfering with nearby communications or GPS-dependent systems.

That distinction is particularly important during an event as massive as the FIFA World Cup, where uninterrupted communications for emergency responders, broadcasters, transportation networks, and thousands of event staff are just as critical as protecting the airspace itself.

According to D-Fend Solutions, the technology was deployed across host cities throughout the multinational tournament by a combination of national, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The company said the operation represented an unprecedented multi-site deployment spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Security officials intentionally kept details of the counter-drone operation under wraps before and during the tournament. Maintaining confidentiality is common practice for high-profile international events, helping prevent bad actors from understanding or attempting to bypass security measures.

“The unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup required a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to airspace safety,” says Zohar Halachmi, chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions. He adds that the company’s non-kinetic cyber takeover capability allowed security teams to neutralize drone threats without disrupting matches, surrounding infrastructure, or vital communications.

Several participating agencies have now publicly acknowledged using the system during the tournament.

The Atlanta Police Department said EnforceAir strengthened its ability to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activity during World Cup events hosted by the city.

Meanwhile, the Cobb County Police Department in Georgia described the platform as an important part of its counter-drone capabilities supporting a safe tournament experience for fans.

Mexico City Police also highlighted the technology’s role, saying it provided a non-disruptive layer of protection that helped mitigate unauthorized drone activity while maintaining airspace safety around major matches.

The deployment reflects a broader trend that has accelerated over the past few years. As consumer drones become more affordable and capable, governments have increasingly focused on protecting stadiums, airports, critical infrastructure, and public gatherings from unauthorized flights.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was already expected to become a landmark event for counter-drone technology. Earlier reports from federal authorities revealed that security teams detected more than a thousand unauthorized drone flights during the tournament, underscoring just how common these incidents have become around major sporting events.

For public safety agencies, however, detecting drones is only half the challenge. Safely stopping them — especially in crowded urban environments — is often much more complicated. Jamming technologies can interfere with legitimate communications, while kinetic solutions may introduce additional risks if drones fall into populated areas. That’s why non-kinetic cyber takeover systems have gained traction in recent years, particularly for high-profile events where minimizing disruption is a top priority.

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