ISIS has issued an alarming propaganda message in recent days urging supporters to carry out attacks during the 2026 World Cup in the United States. According to international reports cited in the article, the group explicitly called for attacks on crowds heading to stadiums and for mass-casualty incidents.
The message told followers to “monitor gathering points” and exploit the large concentrations of fans around the matches. It said there was “a full month to follow the gatherings and carry out attacks,” referring to the crowds in streets and stadiums throughout the tournament.
The propaganda also encouraged the use of different methods of terror, including knives and vehicles, and outlined scenarios meant to spark panic inside packed stadiums. One idea mentioned was setting fire to the stands in order to trigger stampedes and cause many casualties. The message ended by urging ISIS supporters not to miss the “opportunity” to strike Western countries and their citizens as part of the group’s long-running ideological campaign.
In the United States, security has been on high alert since the start of the World Cup, with federal and local forces deployed around stadiums, fan zones and major tourist sites. Authorities said no concrete threat or intelligence currently points to a planned attack, but they are continuing to monitor developments. Security sources said cooperation among law enforcement, intelligence agencies and private security around the matches is at its highest level to protect fans and players throughout the tournament.
