The FIFA World Cup 2026 - use of UAS.

In 2022, a record-breaking 1.5 billion people tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup Final. Additionally, nearly 3.5 million spectators traveled to Qatar to experience the tournament in person, making it one of the most popular sporting events in history.

Looking ahead to 2026, the World Cup will host even more fans in 16 cities across North America.

The Role of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Enhancing Safety

In preparation for the tournament, the use of drones is playing a critical role in modern security efforts, utilizing technology like LiveU’s LRT™ to ensure reliable video streaming from remote or challenging locations.

“The early deployment of drones aims to give officers a real-time perspective of unfolding situations in crowd management, enabling them to assess environments and prepare more effectively before arriving on the scene or deploying resources. Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is a critical target for success. This enhanced "situational awareness" is designed to assist in rapidly locating individuals or groups intent on causing disruption and improving overall safety and efficiency for all." Kevin Cresswell

• Reducing agency liability
• Ensuring reliable service performance
• Enhancing officer and public safety
• Improving agency accountability
• Bolstering community and media perceptions

Drones provide a fresh perspective in assessing risks, gathering intelligence,monitoring potential gaps, and securing vulnerable areas. Some of their key benefits include:

1. Perimeter Control: Equipped with thermal imaging cameras, drones can monitor the stadium's perimeter 24/7, ensuring complete coverage even at night.
2. Inspection Capabilities: Drones can easily inspect hard-to-reach areas, such as rooftops outside stadiums, reducing the need for human personnel in dangerous locations. Adding in commercial cameras from outside the stadium can build a layered security perspective.
3. Incident Reporting: Drones can quickly reach the scene of an incident faster than ground personnel, providing management with real-time data to make informed decisions. With advanced capability, night vision, CBRN and sensors that can differentiate between gunfire and explosions, aiding in faster response times.
4. Emergency Relief: In crowd disruption or even major disaster scenarios, drones can locate individuals trapped in collapsed structures or other dangerous situations.
5. Cost-Effectiveness: By deploying drones, agencies can reduce the need for additional expensive security personnel, cameras, or physical barriers. Drone use also allows for more efficient, rapid deployment of video solutions in crowd control situations.

With supporting LiveU technology, this enhances commanders situational awareness, allowing officers to view high-quality, low latency live drone footage in the command and control center and on any mobile/portable internet-connected device. Officers can receive direct view video streams from on-ground cameras, drones and other UAS at the scene. Live feeds can be viewed by up to 40 recipients using the LiveU field units or any mobile device/PC.

To ensure utmost security, feeds can be shared via a unique and temporary link, allowing you to safely share them with individuals outside your organization. LiveU, On Premise Software (OPS) offerings guarantee that you are in full control of your video feeds at all times. LiveU’s video transmission solutions integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows, allowing you to manage all videos within your organization. Customized encryption options are also available.

LiveU live drone video streaming solutions are also ideal for enhancing training exercises, enabling drills to be streamed live from drones to your command center in preparation for major events like the Superbowl, LA Olympics and FIFA 2026.

Combating Unauthorized Drone Activity

However, drones also pose risks. Unauthorized drone operations over professional and collegiate sporting events have become common, often resulting in game delays, disruptions, or even injury when operators lose control of their devices. While many of these incidents are caused by careless or uninformed operators violating temporary flight restrictions, malicious actors can also use drones to disrupt games, cause harm, or destroy property. We have several options for agencies who are wishing to discuss this particular issue.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, law enforcement and security teams must remain vigilant, as drones—whether used for good or ill—will undoubtedly play a significant role in maintaining the safety and security of this global event.