THIS summer’s football World Cup faces unprecedented drone and cyber threats, a senior US official has warned.
The level faced by the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico is said to be at an all-time high amid the war in Iran.
White House World Cup Task Force boss Andrew Giuliani told The Sun: “We’ve seen in some of the foreign wars just how the technology is evolving so rapidly on attack drones.”
Officials stressed they will do everything possible to make the tournament secure — as thousands of England and Scotland fans prepare to travel.
But the US Department of Homeland Security budget is currently frozen amid a huge political row over immigration.
Mr Giuliani pleaded for opposing Democrats and Republicans to open up funding to provide for robust defences.
He said they must make sure that “the stadiums, the fan festivals, the hotels, are all protected [with counter drone measures], along with just the regular stadium security”.
The Iranian team have qualified for the World Cup and Mr Giuliani said they are welcome to play but their country’s officials and leaders will be banned for “safety and security”.
Fans face security measures and visa checks.
But the White House says extra protections are a price worth paying for fans to be kept safe.
However, many have been priced out by exorbitant ticket and hotel costs.
The White House says it is working with ruling body Fifa to try to make the event more affordable.
