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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A Ferran Torres strike deep into extra-time secured Spain a second World Cup crown, as they overcame Argentina 1-0 at the MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on Sunday.

The European champions had created the best opportunities against the 2022 champions, who mainly resorted to spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the game went into extra-time.

Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’ header to beat Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after 106 minutes.

President Donald Trump flew in to New Jersey in one of a fleet of helicopters before kick-off, while Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, stretching the break to 27 minutes.

In a first half that saw few and far chances, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forced first-half saves out of Argentina keeper Martinez.

The game boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, who had already been cautioned, received a second yellow card for a reckless barge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsi.

Argentina keeper Martinez had been their hero, and he prevented Spain scoring a winner in the final seconds of normal time when he made a superb save from Lamine Yamal’s free-kick.

He was in action again with another crucial stop from Williams’ header before the Bilbao man had a goal ruled for substitute Mikel Merino’s foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

But the Argentine resistance was eventually broken after 106 minutes, when Torres picked his space inside the area, latching onto Williams’ knock down and powering an effort into the roof of the net.

That secured Spain a sixth victory in seven major tournament finals, while leaving Argentina and Messi – who failed to build on their 2022 final triumph and become the first side in 64 years to defend the World Cup – to ponder what could’ve been in what was likely his last international appearance.

Spain won their first World Cup title 16 years ago in South Africa.

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