“The Stakes of This Mission Could Not be Higher”: Special Events Task Force Hears from FIFA, LA28 on Security Preparations for World Cup, Olympics

WASHINGTON D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security's Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States hosted a roundtable with representatives from FIFA and the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28).

G. B. Jones, chief safety and security officer at FIFA World Cup 2026, and Voviette Morgan, senior vice president of safety and security at LA28, briefed members as part of the Task Force's oversight of security preparations for major upcoming events hosted on U.S. soil. Members and roundtable participants delivered opening statements, after which the Task Force conducted a closed-door briefing with participants. Read highlights of the opening statements below.

Watch House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) deliver his opening statement.

"With your help, we are building an important partnership between the public and private sectors that will help ensure the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics and the Paralympics are safe and secure for all in attendance. Your insight today will be invaluable as we conduct oversight of the federal government's coordination with states and localities, as well as non-government entities, to ensure these events run smoothly… As the U.S. prepares to host millions of visitors for the World Cup and the Olympics, we know our adversaries are watching. From cyber intrusions to domestic, homegrown, and foreign terrorists seeking to make a statement on the world stage, we face heightened and evolving threats on U.S. soil.

"In particular, a concern that law enforcement officials consistently bring up in discussions with members of this Committee is the threat posed by drones. I'm sure our briefers today will have plenty to discuss on this topic. Just two weeks ago, I introduced legislation alongside two other Committees of jurisdiction that empowers federal agencies to strengthen detection and mitigation capabilities for malicious drones. The bill also establishes--and expands from previous iterations of this bill--a pilot program for certain state and local agencies to be able to mitigate drones swiftly. This authority is lacking in our current counter-drone legal framework. We must find ways to close this gap so we can better protect our critical infrastructure and mass-gathering events from this emerging technology.

"After numerous attacks targeting mass-gathering events in recent years, including on New Year's Day in New Orleans, this Committee has an important mission to ensure we are prepared to mitigate these threats in the future. After commemorating the 24th anniversary of 9/11 just last week, the stakes of this mission could not be higher."

Watch Special Events Task Force Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) deliver his opening statement.

"As chairman of this Task Force, I look forward to hearing more about the security preparedness efforts that FIFA and LA28 are conducting over the next few months. This Task Force was created to be proactive in identifying and addressing known security risks through a whole-of-society approach. Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, online radicalization, and drones, especially, comprise some of the most pressing security challenges in today's landscape. Next year will also be the 250th birthday of the United States, which is why this Task Force is vital to bridge gaps and advance legislation to counter the multi-faceted threats present."

"The risk of security preparedness for the next year requires strong public-private information sharing efforts and effective security coordination between government, private sector, and our foreign partners."

"I want to thank our briefers for joining us today and for the critical roles they play in this process… Both bring decades of experience in law enforcement, counterterrorism, and special event security, and they are at the forefront of preparing for these extraordinary undertakings. By working together, we can strengthen our security planning and ensure that the United States is as prepared as possible to host these global events."

Watch FIFA's G.B. Jones deliver his opening statement.

"We are proud to bring the world's game to North America in 2026 with matches hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This will be the largest tournament in FIFA's history and the most watched sporting event in the world… FIFA's role is clear with federal, state, and local authorities, as well as private sector partners, working together to ensure a unified and effective approach."

"The scale and complexity of this tournament demand more than business as usual. They require a coordinated federal response in all three nations that matches the magnitude of the event, one that provides the necessary authorities, resources, and leadership to ensure all partners can do their jobs effectively."

"My comments today will focus on the support of the United States government and the partnership we have forged with departments, agencies, and the Trump administration… Number one is the International Police Cooperation Center, or the IPCC. Building on the virtual pilot that was used during the Club World Cup, we urged federal support to establish and fund a full-scale IPCC. The physical operation center would service the central hub for international law enforcement coordination, including operational support of a police spotter program and a dedicated location for real-time information sharing between host nation, host city, and international law enforcement partners.

"Number two, information sharing and intelligence. We call for robust collaboration to ensure comprehensive name checks for all accredited individuals, including internal FBI name checks and National Crime Information Center or NCIC queries. This is vital for timely and actionable threat intelligence and awareness, mitigation of potential insider threats, and alignment with best practices for major international events.

"Number three is the counter-UAS authority expansion. We ask Congress and federal agencies to extend counter-UAS authority to qualified state and local law enforcement these under federal oversight. DHS, FBI, the FAA, and the state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement partners who will partner with them during the FIFA World Cup matches must be equipped with the resources and legal frameworks necessary to mitigate drone threats across all venues where airspace security risks are identified. This includes matches, FIFA fan training sites, and other out large outdoor gatherings where drone threats may compromise safety and security. And finally, maintenance or expansion of baseline capability and public safety technical training programs."

"This is not just a sporting event. It's a global platform for the United States, and it should be treated as such. FIFA is fully committed. Host cities are stepping up. We urge the federal government to enhance its leadership, coordination, and resources to support this event, ensuring it is both historic in scale and exemplary in safety and security."

Watch LA28's Voviette Morgan deliver her opening statement.

"The games will kick off in Los Angeles in just 1,030 days with the opening ceremony for the Olympics on July 14th, 2028, and the Paralympic opening ceremony kicking off on August 15th, 2028. I am honored to be here today to speak on behalf of LA28, and I look forward to partnering with this Task Force, the House Homeland Security Committee, and all of Congress and the lead up to and preparation for the 2028 games."

"I would like to thank this committee and Congress for the $1 billion that was included in the reconciliation bill to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with cost they will incur in the planning and security for the games. This money is instrumental in ensuring that the games will be safe and secure… While LA28 is responsible for organizing the games, there is a strong role for federal, state, and local governments to provide law enforcement resources to ensure a safe and secured games.

"These are America's games and are expected to bring an estimated 15 million spectators from around the world as well as roughly 12,000 Olympic and 4,480 Paralympic athletes. In addition to the games, LA28 is organizing the torch relay, which will, for the first time, visit all 50 states, adding another layer of security needs. To put the task of hosting the games into perspective, the LA28 Olympics will be equal to hosting seven Super Bowls per day for 16 consecutive days, and the Paralympics will be equal to hosting two Super Bowls per day for 12 consecutive days."

"As I work with my federal, state, and local counterparts, I would like to briefly raise a few areas we are focused on. The Paris Games in 2024 faced unprecedented cybersecurity challenges. The Paris Games had 10 times more cyber-attacks than Tokyo did in 2022 with over 50 billion events. LA28 was able to participate in the Paris 2024 Cybersecurity Operations Center and brought back many lessons learned.

"The persistent threat of unmanned aircraft systems has surged in recent years to make the detection and mitigation of drones one of the overarching concerns for any sporting event. LA28 appreciates the work that this Committee has done seeking to expand authorities to detect and mitigate unmanned aircraft systems.

"Lastly, one of the biggest challenges for the games is facilitating transportation for the 15 million visitors and spectators, as well as the athletes competing in the games. These examples are simply meant to show the scope and depth of the issues that government at all levels needs to work through in preparation for the games."

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