Threats against Messi and Ronaldo during World Cup 2026 prompted stadium searches and arrests
FBI‑led security teams monitored bomb threats, online posts and suspicious persons during the tournament; stadium searches and arrests followed several warnings.
During the FIFA World Cup held from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, international security services tracked a series of threats against players and match venues — with Lionel Messi among the most frequently targeted, and Cristiano Ronaldo singled out in several harassment incidents.
Threats, calls and stadium searches
Security reports show that one of the most specific threats to Messi came when a person phoned Dallas airport to say that he and two others were heading to the city stadium for the Argentina–Jordan match armed with bombs and semi‑automatic rifles. The caller reportedly said they would attack "police and players of both teams," and specifically mentioned Lionel Messi.
Another alarming message appeared on the social network X before Argentina’s game with Egypt on July 7: "I will enter the stadium in Atlanta and blow Messi up with four bombs attached to my body." Following a separate tip during that match, explosives experts and K‑9 teams swept the Atlanta stadium after a caller reported that three bombs had been left in three trash bins.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the subject of repeated harassment as well. On June 14 a FIFA official reported a "suspicious person" who had asked detailed questions about the Portuguese player’s whereabouts. Houston police later identified and arrested a man on June 16 at the hotel where Ronaldo was staying with his national team.
In a related case in Toronto, authorities detained a supporter who had tried to get into an elevator with Ronaldo; the man told officers he had wanted only to take a photograph.
According to the security logs, the FBI coordinated an International Centre for Police Cooperation (MCPC) formed from U.S. federal agencies and police contingents from participating countries, including Spain, to monitor terror threats, hostile fans and any incidents that could affect the tournament. Authorities responded to multiple leads with searches and arrests while the competition continued.
Photo: press material from the event
