The TL;DR
The 2026 World Cup uses Boston Dynamics robot dogs, net-shooting fighter jets, and AI cameras in 16 cities. FEMA distributed $875M for safety.
The 2026 World Cup will begin next week in 16 cities in the US, Mexico and Canada. Biggest in history: 48 teams, 104 games, 39 days. It’s also the most technologically-tested sporting event ever, with robotic dogs, net-shooting drones, and thousands of AI-powered cameras spread throughout the arena and fan zone.
“That’s 78 Super Bowls in 39 days,” said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of Trump’s World Cup team.” FEMA has distributed $625 million to 11 participating US cities, with another $250 million earmarked for tracking and intercepting suspect drones.
Boston Dynamics’ Spot robotic dogs patrol AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as part of the “Safety Zone” system owned by Hyundai. The company says it is issuing “its largest and most advanced ships to date,” making it the first official partner to provide robots for the tournament. The robots will inspect suspicious packages and dangerous items.
The sight of the quadrupeds immediately aroused the fear of surveillance. Rumors spread on social media that these dogs were taking pictures of their faces. Boston Dynamics told Chron that the robots “do not have the ability to recognize faces.” But the sight of security robots at a sporting event has been compared to the Black Mirror episode “Metalhead.”
Mexico is sending four robotic dogs called K9-X to its three World Cup venues. Officials told Wired that the robots will intervene in fights or drunken incidents to protect police officers. Technical details and the manufacturer were not disclosed.
Drones are the biggest concern. “If there’s one threat that keeps me up at night, it’s from drones,“Said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Drones are banned from stadiums and fan areas. Counter-drone technology has become one of the fastest-growing areas of defense technology, and the FBI says it has a “full range of options” to prevent entry.
One of those options comes from Fortem, which says it has signed a multibillion-dollar DHS contract for quadcopters that shoot nets when they engage canal-towing planes to catch them in the air. DHS declined to discuss the contract.
False information generated by AI is another concern. Officials have warned that state actors could use the surveillance videos to sow panic. The FBI will open joint operations centers in each host city on game days. “If there’s a video that shows an explosion happening on the site, and it’s done by AI, we have people on the ground who can confirm whether that’s true or not,” said FBI special agent in charge Amit Kachhia-Patel.
In Dallas, a $120 million technology upgrade provides police body cameras with real-time translation, helping officers communicate with international visitors. Several drone startups are also joining the organization’s efforts to protect the skies.
Safety equipment comes a little later. The US-Israel war with Iran has changed the threat picture since planning began. Human rights groups have raised concerns about ICE’s presence in the areas. And the Secret Service, which is in charge of protecting existing world leaders, is short of nearly 860 employees, according to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
“We are prepared as much as we can,” Giuliani said. What is not said is that technology will make a difference.
