FBI reports reveal terror threats against Lionel Messi during 2026 World Cup

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, classified FBI reports documented a series of security threats, including targeted hate speech, harassment, and terror warnings. A central focus of these threats was Argentine football star Lionel Messi, who emerged as the primary target for malicious actors throughout the tournament. The research network Prensa Ibérica gained access to daily security logs, highlighting the intense operational environment faced by authorities during the global event.

To manage these risks, the FBI led the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC), a multi-national task force comprising U.S. federal agencies and international law enforcement representatives. The center was tasked with real-time assessment of dangers to players, delegations, and facilities. One specific incident involved a death threat received via a phone call to Dallas Airport, where an unidentified individual explicitly threatened to use four bombs against Messi. Authorities monitored these incidents continuously to prevent any disruption to the competition, though no specific follow-up on the legal status of the suspects was provided in the reports.