FIFA World Cup 2026: Members of Congress call on National Guard to tackle drone threats

Two Republican members of Congress are calling on Donald Trump’s administration to give the National Guard the power to tackle potential ‘drone-related threats’ and ensure a «unified federal security posture» during the upcoming World Cup matches.

The letter from U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul and Elijah Crane, who both serve on the House Homeland Security Committee, was sent Friday to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

McCaul and Crane called for immediate interagency action to secure airspace over the 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup matches this summer.

Potential staff shortages and complex jurisdictional differences between event organizers and host cities risk creating a fragmented environment, they said, adding that the situation requires a unified federal security posture.

“With its rapid deployment, nationwide scalability, and extensive experience responding to domestic emergencies, the National Guard is uniquely positioned to assist federal and state authorities with C-UAS mitigation and unified coordination for World Cup security,” they wrote.

The Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The call to deputize troops to respond to drone threats came a day before a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, sparking new security concerns over this summer’s World Cup matches.

The White House said Monday that the games will be safe after Saturday’s shooting.

“President Trump wants to ensure that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also “the safest and most secure in history,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement.

Published on April 28, 2026