US Secretary of Homeland Security warns of jeopardy ahead of World Cup
The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, has declared that the safety of attendees at the upcoming 2026 World Cup is in “jeopardy”, reports BritPanorama.
His comments, made in Kansas City, Missouri, come as the city prepares to host six matches during the tournament from June 16 to July 11. Mullin noted that the recent 76-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) impacted security preparations for the event.
“It put our mission in jeopardy,” he remarked, comparing the significance of the six games in Kansas City to “six Super Bowls.” The shutdown concluded only last week following the signing of a spending bill by former President Donald Trump, but it did not include funding for key agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the US Border Patrol.
Mullin stressed the importance of various agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), for securing the tournament. He revealed that a third of CISA’s staff had departed during the shutdown, further complicating security operations that are crucial as the event approaches.
“We haven’t been able to be as proactive on putting those safety measures in place, and the first match is June 11,” Mullin said. The first match on US soil is scheduled for June 12 in Los Angeles, adding urgency to the situation.
The World Cup is anticipated to draw between five and seven million tourists to the United States, with 90 percent of tickets already sold. Republican Representative Mark Alford joined Mullin at the press conference, calling for full funding for the DHS and emphasizing the need to prioritize national security over politics.
At the same time, TSA deputy administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill highlighted significant staffing challenges, citing that 480 agents had resigned due to funding uncertainties. She characterized the situation as “dire,” warning that gaps in staffing could hinder security efforts during the World Cup.
As preparations unfold against this backdrop, the event looms as both an opportunity and a challenge, underscoring the intersection of sports, security, and political ramifications. The forthcoming matches are not merely games; they represent a moment where the stakes are profoundly intertwined with national security considerations.
