With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, securing the massive event has become a pressing priority. Fortem Technologies, an American company, recently announced it will protect World Cup matches in the US from hostile drones, following a „multimillion-dollar order” from the Department of Homeland Security. This move underscores the growing recognition of the threat posed by unmanned aircraft in the context of large-scale public events.
Multi-Million Dollar Contract: Fortem Technologies on Duty
Under the contract, Fortem will deploy its advanced counter-drone systems, known as DroneHunter, at 11 World Cup venues during the premier international soccer competition, which kicks off on June 11. This massive deployment of technology aims to create a safety dome over stadiums and surrounding areas, ensuring the incident-free progression of the event.
DroneHunter: Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Responses to Airborne Dangers
Fortem’s DroneHunter interceptors utilize nets to trap unwanted quadcopters and other unmanned aircraft in mid-air. The objective is to neutralize hostile drones without showering debris on bystanders below. In addition to this kinetic method, America’s World Cup sites will also employ non-kinetic counter-drone technology, such as signal jamming, to ward off airborne threats. This dual approach offers a broad spectrum of responses to various types of incidents.
„The threat posed by small drones is one of the most consequential shifts in security of our lifetime,” Fortem CEO Jon Gruen stated. „But it’s a threat we know how to stop — and we’ve already proven it on one of the world’s biggest stages.”
The Global Challenge: An Unprecedented Scale
Securing the sprawling World Cup is a colossal undertaking: for nearly six weeks this summer, 16 cities across three North American countries will host millions of fans and teams representing 48 nations. This geographical breadth and the sheer number of participants amplify the complexity of security operations, making anti-drone defense a crucial component.
Qatar 2022 Experience: A Precedent for Success
Fortem previously undertook a similar role for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where it provided similar technologies, albeit on a smaller scale. This prior experience validates the company’s capabilities and provides a solid foundation for the security operations to be deployed in 2026, in an even more extensive and complex environment.
