An Iran-linked hacking group has claimed it gained access to FBI surveillance drones and warned that the 2026 World Cup could be a target, according to a cybersecurity monitoring organization that tracks extremist and state-linked cyber activity.
The group, known as Handala, said it had maintained access “for months” to footage and data collected by first-person view (FPV) drones operated by the FBI, including images and information on individuals captured by the aircraft, according to a statement published by the SITE Intelligence Group.
Handala claimed the drones were equipped with facial recognition and license plate scanning systems used in counterterrorism operations.
“Better tighten your World Cup security, we don’t like some of those teams at all. Don’t forget: FPVs are everywhere; you never know when one might end up right in your team’s bus,” the group said in a statement cited by SITE.
The FBI has been deploying drones around stadiums hosting World Cup matches as part of security operations aimed at preventing unauthorized aircraft activity. Drone flights have been restricted over U.S. stadiums and official fan events during the tournament.
The claims come amid heightened concerns over cyber threats linked to Iran following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran in February that triggered a wider Middle East conflict. The U.S. Justice Department has warned that Iranian-linked actors could attempt retaliatory cyberattacks against American targets.
Handala released images and video that it said showed material obtained from the alleged drone breach. SITE Intelligence Group, however, questioned the authenticity of the evidence, saying at least one video attributed to the operation was actually created by a software company in December 2024 to demonstrate a U.S. police department’s use of its technology to survey tornado damage.
The group previously claimed responsibility for compromising the email account of FBI Director Kash Patel in March, after which it released personal photos and other materials online. U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed Handala’s claims.
The U.S. State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of members of the group.
The alleged drone breach adds another layer of security concerns around the World Cup, which has brought millions of fans and teams from around the world to venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Faustine Ngila is the AI Editor at Impact Newswire, based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an award-winning journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
He previously worked as a global technology reporter at Quartz in New York and Digital Frontier in London, where he covered innovation, startups, and the global digital economy.
With years of experience reporting on cutting-edge technologies, Faustine focuses on AI developments, industry trends, and the impact of technology on society.
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