FBI Director Kash Patel vows to hunt down those who make hoax terrorist threats at the World Cup

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FT Desk

FBI Director Kash Patel has urged potential pranksters to think twice before making any hoax terrorist threats during the upcoming World Cup.

Millions of football fans are set to descend upon North America for the 2026 World Cup, which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Due to the number of big events taking place and the masses of football fans set to travel, security will be tight in host cities and authorities will need to be wary of terrorist threats. Though all threats will be taken seriously, there is also the possibility that threats are simply made up, created to spread panic, and that's what Patel is keen to avoid.

"One issue this FBI is taking incredibly seriously during the tournament is hoax threats," Patel wrote on social media.

"Hoax threats are federal crimes and for good reason - they sow panic, waste valuable law enforcement resources, and put innocent lives at risk.

"Hoax threats will not be tolerated. The FBI and its partners will be rigorous and relentless in tracking down anyone who makes a fake threat at any event on any device during this historic tournament."

Patel mentioned two case studies of recent hoax creators who faced justice.

"An 18-year-old in Oregon was arrested and has been federally charged with making at least 17 bomb threats that terrorized Ohio schools and other organizations earlier in the year," Patel added.

"A man was arrested in Hungary for causing a 'swatting' incident in Rhode Island in 2024, prompting an armed response by local authorities following false claims of the murder of a family. Remember: A single threat via text, phone call, or social media can land you in jail. Do not make, post, or share hoax threats."

Travelling World Cup fans ‘vulnerable to serious harm’

Some sections of travelling World Cup fans will be "vulnerable to serious harm" in the United States, according to several civil rights organisations.

More than 120 civil society groups and MLS and NWSL-affiliated fan groups have published a travel advisory document to travelling fans of immigrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people and racial and ethnic minority groups warning them of the potential treatment they face in the USA, who will host the World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada this summer.

The message issues a stark warning to everyone from fans, to players, to the media: "exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan." This call to action stems from the group’s concerns regarding an escalation of violence and authoritarianism under the Donald Trump administration.

There has been violence on the streets of the country after the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers under Trump. Since the beginning of 2026, 18 people have died while in ICE custody

The advisory publication has highlighted six factors of concern:

- The arbitrary denial of entry and risk of detention and/or deportation

- Expanded limitations on travel and entry into the U.S.

- Invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices

- “Violent and unconstitutional” immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and other discrimination

- “Suppression” of speech and protest

-Serious risk of mistreatment while being held in immigration detention facilities

“FIFA has been paying lip service to human rights while cozying up with the Trump administration, putting millions of people at risk of being harmed and their basic rights violated,” said Jamil Dakwar, human rights program director of the American Civil Liberties Union.