President Trump urged to protect 2026 World Cup host cities from threat of drones

Representative Darin LaHood, who co-chairs the Congressional Soccer Caucus, has urged President Donald Trump to enact an executive order to protect the American skies from the threat of drones during the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Congressman LaHood, who has served as a U.S. representative from Illinois for almost ten years, has been pressing the administration on several issues relating to the operations, logistics and security of the World Cup. Rep. LaHood is a Republican but the Soccer Caucus is a bipartisan initiative aimed at promoting the interests of soccer within the United States. They have lobbied the White House to sign off on a $625m federal funding request to assist security needs during the World Cup, which is edging closer, but he also believes a change to the law is required, which would best enable suspect drones to be taken out in the host cities.
Advertisement
LaHood also serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the nation's intelligence agencies.
President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' includes $500 million to be made available until 2029 for 'state and local capabilities to detect, identify, track or monitor threats from unmanned aircraft systems (otherwise known as drones).' The act must still pass through the U.S. Senate but is expected to do so.
Trump has also signed a series of executive orders relating to drones in recent weeks, both aimed at increasing U.S. manufacturing of drones but also greater counter-drone capabilities. A White House fact sheet claimed that drones 'pose a growing threat as criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors increasingly weaponize these technologies to endanger public safety and national security.'
A bipartisan coalition has been working within Congress to alter the law. Currently, only federal authorities are permitted to counter rogue drones but state and local authorities are often more heavily involved in securing events at stadiums or mass gatherings.
The DEFENSE Act (Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment Act) would change this by granting temporary authority to state and local officers who have received appropriate training to use counter-drone technology and respond to threats. The proposed act has the backing of the NFL, MLB, NCAA and NASCAR.
Rep. LaHood, however, believes an executive order may be necessary to ensure those securing World Cup games and fan festivals have the requisite training and powers ahead of the World Cup, which starts in June 2026. An executive order, he says, would establish a protocol to protect World Cup stadiums, with collaboration between the U.S. Military, the federal national security agencies and state and local law enforcement.
'I was up at MetLife with the (White House FIFA World Cup) Task Force recently,' Rep. La Hood told The Athletic. 'We met with the head of security for FIFA and we did a drone demonstration. We had all of the security apparatus there. We talked a lot about an executive order that will be needed because I'm not optimistic we'll pass legislation to establish the right protocols for what we need with drones for the 11 cities.
Advertisement
'I'll try to simplify it as much as I can. If a drone flew over Russia at the World Cup in 2018, or Qatar (in 2022), it immediately gets shot down. No questions about it. It's gone. There were mechanisms in place to do that. In the U.S., we have not regulated drones, there's (even) been a purposeful effort in Congress to let the drone industry prosper and thrive in the free market system.
'There is legislation introduced by Senator Tom Cotton that would establish a protocol and this would be helpful for regulating drones. But I don't anticipate that's going to get the consensus of Congress between now and then.
'As you might imagine, there's liability issues here, there's contractual issues, there's timing issues. For example, how far is the aperture of the zone around the 11 host cities? MetLife is close to Newark airport (around 12 miles away) – how do you do that? It's not as easy as it sounds but there will be one particular agency designated to secure the perimeter and make sure no drones are infiltrating the area where games are being played.'
Michael Evanoff is the global chief security officer of the U.S. security technology company Verkada and former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security.
He told The Athletic: 'Drone activity is at the highest it's ever been. Wars going forward will always have drones. It's a delivery system to hurt and kill. The Super Bowl has a no-fly zone for drones. So there's counter-drone technology that is in place that basically keeps the environment from being utilised by drones.
'How would they know if drones are in the air? There's a signature given down, which comes to a central point for the authorities who then say, 'Hey, we have a drone in the air. It's not one of our drones, we need to take it out.' When I say take it out, they use the environment to seize it. I've seen counter-drones that use nets.
Advertisement
'So a bigger drone comes on with a net around the other encircling drone. The weighted net brings it down obviously over a nice area where you're not hitting cars and people, but there are counter technologies for that. It is normal that we do have a no-fly for the Super Bowl. Open-air stadiums will definitely not want to have a drone in their area.'
The White House was approached for comment.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Washington Post

14 minutes ago

• Washington Post

Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins NASCAR national series debut as crew chief at Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. might already be NASCAR's most popular crew chief. He's certainly an undefeated one. Pressed into unexpected service, Earnhardt called the shots for 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch in the No. 88 Chevrolet and they landed in victory lane Saturday in the second-tier Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. 'It felt good to have some input and decision-making power,' Earnhardt said. 'And then helping Connor understand what our plan was so he knew when to push and what he was expected to do.' Earnhardt — who won NASCAR's most-popular driver award 15 times — made a pit stop from his day job as team owner at JR Motorsports with normal crew chief Mardy Lindley suspended one race because of a lug nut infraction this month at Nashville. Aside from his duties as team owner, Earnhardt also was at Pocono for his role on the Prime broadcast for the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday. 'Lot of fun for me today,' Earnhardt said. 'I missed the thrill of competition. I love broadcast, don't get me wrong. But nothing compares to driving or just being part of the team. Being an owner doesn't really deliver like this. This is a lot of fun.' Earnhardt had his wife and two young daughters in tow with him as he made the celebratory walk to victory lane. Oldest daughter Isla Rose clutched the checkered flag while youngest Nicole Lorraine soaked in the scene from her dad's arms. 'I love that they just get to experience things about NASCAR,' Earnhardt said. 'I had such a great time growing up as a kid in this sport, just running around here. I want them to have that opportunity and understand that this is a place where they could create opportunities for themselves down the road.' The win continued a banner season for the NASCAR Hall of Fame driver — who swept two races at Pocono as a driver in 2014 — after JR Motorsports and reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier qualified for the season-opening Daytona 500 and secured their Cup Series debut . Earnhardt won two Daytona 500s, in 2004 and 2014, and 26 races overall. His side hustle Saturday was made a bit easier with Zilisch behind the wheel. Zilisch, who turns 19 in July, raced to his second Xfinity victory of the season and third of his young career. He won his Xfinity debut last year at Watkins Glen International. Earnhardt even pitched in during the race and tossed tires over the wall during pit stops. 'Midway through the race man, I was feeling it,' Earnhardt said. Zilisch took the win down to the wire and finally passed Jesse Love with five laps left in the race. Love finished second. 'Dale Junior, not too bad on the box,' Zilisch said. 'Pretty cool to have him up there. Getting him a 1-for-1 win as crew chief is pretty awesome.' Even with the victory, it just might be one-and-done on the pit box for Earnhardt. 'I don't know that I see myself doing it again,' he said. ___ AP auto racing:

Yahoo

15 minutes ago

• Yahoo

2025 All-Johnson County baseball team

Topping their respective district standings and securing a bi-district championship, the Joshua Owls and Godley Wildcats reign supreme in the Times-Review's 2025 All-Johnson County baseball team. MVP Headlining a 24-win season for the Owls, the All-Johnson County MVP left his mark on the team during 2025. The winner of the award is Gavin Massey. Advertisement Massey's season stats — .402 BA, .497 OBP, 1.14 OPS, .641 SLG, 47 H, 15 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 34 RBI, 26 R, 12 SB / .983 fielding percentage, 227 PO on 242 TC, 11 A / 5 G, 1.4 ERA, 2 SV. Massey's honors — First team All-District 8-5A 1B, first team Academic All-State, Academic All-District, first team All-State. Co-Offensive Players of the Year In an attempt to secure playoff spots, two players provided excellence at the plate as the top hitters on their teams. The All-Johnson County Co-Offensive Players of the Year are Cleburne's Beaux Douthitt and Rio Vista's Anthony Zepeda. Douthitt's season stats — .404 BA, .495 OBP, 1.057 OPS, .562 SLG, 36 H, 8 2B, 3 3B, 22 RBI, 25 R. Advertisement The Yellow Jacket was the District 8-5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year as well. Zepeda's season stats — .531 BA, .684 OBP, 9 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 42 R, 15 SB. Zepeda's honors — District 15-2A Offensive MVP, Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association first team All-State 1B. Defensive Player of the Year Burleson was Joshua's best competition in 8-5A and came away with a 20-win season. The district had a tough time running on the All-Johnson County Defensive Player of the Year, Elk Xavi Medina. Medina's defensive stats — .982 fielding percentage, 25% CS. Medina was named second-team All-District catcher. Advertisement Pitcher of the Year Leading the area in ERA and strikeouts, the All-Johnson County Pitcher of the Year is Alvarado's Colten Burnett. Burnett's season stats — 7-3, 1.34 ERA, 97 Ks. District 12-4A Pitcher of the Year. Catcher of the Year The Wildcats' pair of superlative winners begins with the sophomore behind home plate. The All-Johnson County Catcher of the Year is Braxton Spohn. Spohn's season stats — .371 BA, .435 OBP, 36 H, 4 2B, 3B, 27 RBI, 12 R / .966 fielding percentage. He earned first-team All-District 12-4A catcher. Utility Player of the Year Working alongside Spohn for much of the season, one of Godley's trusted arms also spent time at first base. The All-Johnson County Utility Player of the Year is Tabor Anderson. Advertisement Anderson's season stats — .359 BA, .468 OBP, 33 H, 5 2B, 26 RBI, 24 R / .989 fielding percentage / 60.2 IP, 8-1, SV, 1.92 ERA, 70 Ks / District 12-4A Utility Player of the Year. Newcomer of the Year In his sophomore year, Joshua's Nate Chittum joined the Owls and made an impact at the plate and on the field at shortstop. The All-Johnson County Newcomer of the Year is Nate Chittum. Chittum's season stats — .365 BA, .486 OBP, .973 OPS, .487 SLG, 42 H, 4 2B, 5 3B, 17 RBI, 28 R, 10 SB / .960 fielding percentage, 39 PO on 126 TC, 82 A, 16 DP / District 8-5A Defensive MVP. Coach & Team of the Year In his second season with the Owls, head coach Albert Carrizales continued the progress made in 2024 and helped the program achieve one of its best years in its history. 23 wins, 13-1 record in district play for an 8-5A title and took the eventual 5A Div II state champions (Grapevine) to three games in the area round, Carrizales and Joshua are the All-Johnson County Coach and Team of the Year winners. Advertisement First team All-Johnson County selections — Cleburne's Malachi Cunningham; Alvarado's Kaden Stevens; Godley's Byron McClure; Joshua's Jaxson Philpot, Hank Berkner and Landon Lillagore; Keene's Daiden Duncan; Rio Vista's Jake McWhorter; Burleson's Joe Villavicencio and Landon Smith; Centennial's Bryson Hatton. Second team All-Johnson County selections — Alvarado's Jack Deltz; Grandview's Owen Moore; Godley's Ryder Papasan, Grayson Crane and Crosby Carmichael; Joshua's Cody Rogers, Hunter Strebeck and Thomas Rodriguez; Rio Vista's Ashton Huey, Slate Campbell and Creed Martyniuk; Burleson's Ty Freeman and Gavin Lustgarten; Centennial's Max Irwin and Kane Whitney. All-Johnson County honorable mentions — Alvarado's DJ Clampitt; Grandview's Drew Milner; Godley's Jackson Duke, Marcos Molina and Jaydon Spurlock; Joshua's Cooper Bosher; Rio Vista's Kaiden Scott; Burleson's Carter Hall, Isaac Darst and Evan Hill; Centennial's Colby Jorg and Jakob Hernandez.

Yahoo

20 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Thoughts on a 3-2 Rangers win

Rocker lasted into the sixth, retiring the first batter via ground out before walking the next two batters and getting the hook. Shawn Armstrong hit the first batter he faced and then got a grounder that resulted in one out and a runner scoring. Armstrong, Hoby Milner and Chris Martin then kept Pittsburgh off the board the rest of the way.