Homeland Security task force urges stronger federal role, authorities for 2026 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics security

A House Homeland Security Committee task force pressed federal agencies and Congress on expanded authorities, funding and coordination to secure the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games during a public roundtable in Washington.

The task force’s briefers — GB Jones, Chief Safety and Security Officer for FIFA World Cup 2026, and Bobette Morgan, senior vice president for safety and security for LA28 — told members these events will require expanded counter‑drone capabilities, enhanced international law enforcement coordination and sustained federal funding and training. “We are responsible for securing official FIFA sites,” Jones said, adding that “the scale and complexity of this tournament demand more than business as usual.” Morgan described the Los Angeles Games as “the biggest in Olympic history” and noted they were designated a national special security event in January 2024.

Why it matters: Both events will draw millions of visitors and operate across many jurisdictions, placing novel operational and legal demands on federal, state and local partners. Lawmakers and the briefers framed the matters as national security and public safety priorities that require new or clarified legal authorities, interagency mechanisms and predictable funding.

Top requests and concerns

- Counter‑UAS authority: Both briefers urged an expansion of counter‑unmanned aircraft system (UAS) authorities and cited a need to enable…