Iran-linked group ‘to target’ 2026 World Cup after FBI drone hack claim | OneFootball

According to SITE Intelligence Group, the Iran-linked group Handala claims to have accessed FBI-owned drones and has warned of action against the 2026 World Cup.

The group says it has, for months, had access to every image and suspect captured by the FBI drones. It also claims to have breached FPV units equipped with facial recognition and licence-plate readers used in counter-terrorism operations.

Handala urged organisers to strengthen World Cup security, said it strongly dislikes some teams, and suggested FPV drones could appear near a team bus.

The FBI deploys drones and prohibits unmanned aircraft flights over US stadiums hosting World Cup matches, as well as over tournament-related events. The Justice Department has previously warned of cyberattack risks from Iranian actors after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February, which triggered the war in the Middle East.

Many cybersecurity experts view Handala as affiliated to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The group has posted photos and video it says were taken from hacked drones, though the report cast doubt on their authenticity. The US State Department has offered up to 10 million dollars for information to identify its members.

Source: L'Équipe