An Iran-linked hacker group known as Handala claims it has breached FBI surveillance drones and is threatening the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. Handala, which presents itself as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist collective but is assessed by US officials to be a front for Iranian intelligence, stated it had access for months to footage from FBI first-person view (FPV) drones used for facial recognition and license plate checks in counterterrorism operations. The group directly warned: 'Better tighten your World Cup security... FPVs are everywhere; you never know when one might end up right in your team’s bus.' However, SITE questioned the group's evidence, noting one supposed hack video was actually from a software firm's December 2024 promotion. The threat follows Handala's previous claims, including hacking FBI Director Kash Patel's email in March. The US State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of Handala members. The World Cup runs through July 19 across 16 cities, and while the threat may be disputed, it raises security concerns for the globally-watched event.

Key facts

• Handala claims months-long access to FBI FPV drone footage used for facial recognition and license plate checks.
• SITE Intelligence Group questions evidence, noting one hack video came from a software firm's December 2024 promotion.
• Handala previously claimed the hack of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal email in March.
• US State Department offers up to $10 million reward for information identifying Handala members.
• 2026 World Cup runs through July 19 across 16 cities; threat raises security stakes despite disputed evidence.