The hundreds of millions of federal dollars that 2026 FIFA World Cup host states have used to acquire counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) technology—from drone-catching nets to radio signal takeover devices—are being put to good use, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The TSA said Tuesday that federal air marshals have seized more than 300 drones during World Cup events since the tournament began on June 11. The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed that figure to the Washington Examiner on Monday, telling the outlet it seized 34 drones over the City of Angels. The agency’s Philadelphia field office told the Examiner it has recovered 42 drones since matches began at Lincoln Financial Field, and the Newark field office reported six seizures over MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
