FEMA Awards $250M to Stop Drone Pitch Invaders at World Cup

First tranche of counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) grant money will go to 11 states and the National Capital Region.

Jack Daleo

Saturday, January 03, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A demonstrator drone is ensnared with a net during a presentation for NATO’s 2023 C-UAS Technical Interoperability Exercise. [Courtesy: NATO]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. states hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup will be among the first to utilize new authority and federal funding to counter drone threats at mass gatherings.
FEMA has rapidly awarded $250 million to World Cup host states and the National Capital Region for advanced UAS detection, tracking, and mitigation capabilities.
The Safer Skies Act grants state and local law enforcement agencies new power to jam, intercept, and take down drones, expanding counter-UAS efforts beyond federal authorities.
This initiative addresses growing concerns about drone incursions at stadiums and other large public events, which are increasingly seen as potential targets by security agencies.

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The eleven U.S. states scheduled to host matches during the FIFA World Cup this summer may be the first to exercise newly granted authority to jam, intercept, and take down uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or drones.

During past World Cups, stadium security teams focused primarily on stopping pitch invaders and other threats on the ground. Now, they are paying more attention to the airspace above and around stadiums, which in the U.S. has become increasingly vulnerable as more drones take to the skies.