Florida lawmakers urge Biden, DHS for enhanced security ahead of 2026 World Cup

by | Sep 17, 2024



Several Florida lawmakers expressed security concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a letter to President Biden and Homeland Security, citing high-threat risks and urging increased federal support for Miami and other host cities.


Several Florida lawmakers, including U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, raised security concerns this week ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a letter to President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The lawmakers cited a high-threat environment, referencing FBI Director Christopher Wray’s recent testimony, where he stated that the “United States faces an all-time high threat environment,” and called for increased federal resources to ensure the safety of host cities, including Miami.

The letter questions whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has adequate resources to meet security demands tied to Miami’s Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR). Miami’s first six matches are classified as SEAR 2, while the third-place match is designated as SEAR 1, the highest threat level. The lawmakers asked DHS to clarify its plans to support local security efforts, particularly if additional resources are required.

“Does DHS have sufficient resources to ensure it meets the needs associated with the rating provided?” The letter asks. “If not, what steps is DHS taking to ensure it can fulfill the necessary security needs for cities hosting World Cup matches?”

The lawmakers also expressed concerns about handling increased tourism during the event and sought assurances from agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about how they will manage the rise in international travelers. Additionally, the lawmakers called for improved intelligence-sharing between federal, state, and local law enforcement to address potential threats.

“With the World Cup matches expected to increase tourism to the host cities, including through major airports, how is the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection planning to meet the increased frequency of travelers?” The letter asked, also questioning “What steps is DHS taking to ensure state and local law enforcement partners are provided as much intelligence as possible, especially as it relates to any terrorist threat assessments connected to any World Cup-related event?”

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the U.S. alongside Canada and Mexico, is expected to be the largest sporting event globally, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Miami is set to host several matches, including the tournament’s third-place match, while other Florida cities will serve as base camps for competing teams.

The letter was signed by Rubio, Scott, and Florida Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar, Jared Moskowitz, Aaron Bean, Mario Diaz-Balart, Michael Waltz, Carlos Gimenez, and C. Scott Franklin.

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