Police Deploy Counter-drone Tech to Secure World Cup Events
WHO:
DroneDJ - Zohar Halachmi, chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions
PR Newswire - Sergeant Kindu J. Franklin, City of Atlanta Police Department
PR Newswire - Lieutenant Justin M. Bullis, Homeland Security Unit, Cobb County Police Department
PR Newswire - Jesús Alfredo Hernández Olvera, Director General, Cyber Investigation and Technological Operations, Secretariat of Citizen Security, Mexico City Police
WHAT:
DroneDJ - The 2026 FIFA World Cup saw one of the largest coordinated counter-drone operations ever conducted, with more than 20 public safety agencies deploying D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir system.
Dronelife - D-Fend Solutions reported that the EnforceAir platform was used to protect stadiums, surrounding areas, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive locations throughout the event.
DroneDJ - More than 20 public safety agencies deployed D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir system during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
DroneDJ - Security teams detected more than a thousand unauthorized drone flights during the tournament.
PR Newswire - EnforceAir was described as a non-kinetic, cyber-driven counter-drone airspace protection system.
WHERE:
DroneDJ - The 2026 FIFA World Cup took place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
PR Newswire - EnforceAir was deployed overlooking Seattle's host stadium.
WHEN:
PR Newswire - The announcement regarding the deployment of EnforceAir was made on August 6, 2026.
WHY:
Dronelife - The growing concerns over unauthorized drone activity at major international sporting events have made counter-UAS technology increasingly important in event security planning.
DroneDJ - Unauthorized drones pose security risks and can disrupt matches or invade restricted airspace.
PR Newswire - The unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup required a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to airspace safety.
HOW:
PR Newswire - EnforceAir was described as a preeminent cyber-takeover system that protects the tournament's land, air, and waterways, moving beyond legacy jamming and kinetic methods.
DroneDJ - EnforceAir uses radio-frequency cyber technology to take control of unauthorized drones and guide them to a safe landing.
PR Newswire - The deployment involved a combination of national, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:54 UTC)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured one of the largest coordinated counter-drone operations ever, with over 20 public safety agencies utilizing D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir system to ensure safety at the event. This advanced platform was deployed to safeguard stadiums, surrounding areas, and critical infrastructure, addressing the rising concerns over unauthorized drone activity at major international sporting events. EnforceAir is recognized as a leading cyber-takeover system that protects the tournament’s land, air, and waterways, marking a significant evolution from traditional jamming and kinetic methods.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 18:38 UTC)
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, more than 20 public safety agencies deployed D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir system to protect airspace, particularly overlooking Seattle's host stadium. Security teams successfully detected over a thousand unauthorized drone flights, highlighting the need for sophisticated measures to address the security risks posed by these drones. EnforceAir, a non-kinetic, cyber-driven counter-drone system, uses radio-frequency technology to safely guide unauthorized drones to the ground, ensuring the safety of the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.