The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, has said the United States recorded no major security incidents during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the tournament as the largest sporting event in history.

Patel disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Sunday, praising the coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in securing the tournament.

According to him, the competition shattered previous attendance records and was successfully staged across the United States without any major security breach.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the largest sporting event in the history of the world, shattering the previous attendance record by double digits. America — we got it done, ZERO major security incidents across our nation while we hosted the equivalent of 78 Super Bowls in 38 days, along with 40 base camps, endless fan zones, and celebrations in nearly every state,” Patel wrote.

He credited President Donald Trump for prioritising security preparations ahead of the tournament, noting that the White House FIFA Task Force was established about 16 months before the competition.

“President Trump promised his administration would deliver the safest, most secure, and fun environment for FIFA. He started by establishing the White House FIFA Task Force some 16 months ago, and we got right to work,” he said.

Patel disclosed that the FBI committed nearly 5,000 personnel from its headquarters, field offices and international offices across the 16 host cities, describing it as the bureau’s largest-ever deployment for a single event.

“This FBI led the charge, dedicating nearly 5,000 personnel to the effort out of HQ, field and international offices across 16 host cities. None of what we accomplished is possible without our federal, state and local partners who all put in the same relentless effort. It’s the largest resource dedication the FBI has EVER made for any event,” he added.

According to the FBI director, the agency established a Joint Operations Centre, an International Police Coordination Centre, and an Intelligence Coordination Centre to facilitate real-time intelligence gathering and information sharing throughout the tournament.

He also revealed that the FBI created the first-ever counter-unmanned aircraft systems training school for law enforcement officers ahead of the World Cup, adding that authorities seized more than 700 drones that entered restricted airspace around FIFA venues.

“We established the first-ever counter-UAS drone school, training members of law enforcement from across the country for the World Cup. We seized over 700 drones near FIFA airspace,” Patel said.

He added that security agencies also managed other major national events held during the same period, including UFC 250, SAIL 250 and State Fair 250, while ensuring the World Cup concluded safely.

“President Trump’s leadership set the course; he led the way, and this FBI and our partners rose to the challenge. Thanks to all our partners, FIFA, the Department of Homeland Security, the White House FIFA Task Force and its Director, Andrew Giuliani,” Patel stated.

Spain have become the first nation in football history to simultaneously hold the FIFA Men’s World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup titles.

FIFA announced the milestone in a post on its official X handle on Sunday following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New York.

Celebrating the achievement, FIFA wrote, “History-makers Spain have become the first nation to hold both the @FIFAWorldCup and @FIFAWWC simultaneously!”

Spain’s triumph in the men’s tournament came three years after the country’s women’s team lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time by defeating England 1-0 in the 2023 final in Sydney, Australia, thanks to Olga Carmona’s decisive goal.

The latest success also marked Spain’s second men’s World Cup title, having previously won the tournament in South Africa in 2010.

By claiming the 2026 crown while remaining the reigning women’s world champions, Spain achieved a feat no other nation has managed since the inception of the two FIFA World Cup competitions.

The historic double further highlights Spain’s recent dominance in international football.

In addition to holding both World Cup trophies, the country’s men’s team won the UEFA European Championship in 2024, while its women’s side has remained among the leading forces in world football since capturing its maiden global title in Australia and New Zealand.

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France captain and Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappé, has become the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer after finishing the 2026 tournament with 22 goals.

The updated all-time scoring chart, released by FIFA after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in the United States on Sunday, places Mbappe ahead of Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who retired from the tournament with 21 goals.

Mbappé reached the milestone in just 22 World Cup appearances, while Messi scored his 21 goals across a record 34 matches spanning six editions of the tournament.

Former Germany striker Miroslav Klose, who had held the outright record for over a decade with 16 goals, is now third on the all-time list.

Brazil legend Ronaldo occupies fourth place with 15 goals in 19 appearances, while Germany’s Gerd Müller and England captain Harry Kane are tied for fifth with 14 goals each. Müller achieved the feat in just 13 matches, while Kane reached the mark in 18 appearances.

France’s Just Fontaine remains one of the most remarkable names on the list, scoring 13 goals in only six matches during the 1958 World Cup.

Brazil icon Pelé is eighth with 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches.

Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann, Hungary’s Sandor Kocsis and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo are tied on 11 goals.

Klinsmann scored his goals in 17 matches, Kocsis in just five games, while Cristiano Ronaldo finished his World Cup career with 11 goals in 27 appearances.

Below is the full list of World Cup all-time leading scorers

Kylian Mbappe (France) – 22 goals in 22 matches

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 21 goals in 34 matches

Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals in 24 matches

Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals in 19 matches

Gerd Müller (Germany) – 14 goals in 13 matches

Harry Kane (England) – 14 goals in 18 matches

Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals in six matches

Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals in 14 matches

Jurgen Klinsmann (Germany) – 11 goals in 17 matches

Sandor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11 goals in five matches

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 11 goals in 27 matches.

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