Leaked Police Dossier Details Targeted Terror Threats Against Lionel Messi at World Cup
Internal security documents reveal a series of coordinated bomb threats and stalking incidents directed at global football stars during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Argentina captain Lionel Messi was identified as the primary target for multiple terror alerts investigated by international authorities.
Key takeaways
- Lionel Messi was the primary target of multiple bomb and firearm threats during the 2026 World Cup.
- A joint security operation involving the FBI and IPCC managed threats across Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami.
- Match officials and players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé faced significant stalking and harassment.
World Cup Security Breaches Exposed
Confidential police files recently obtained by Spanish outlet Informacion.es expose the intensity of security operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The documents, later cited by the Daily Star and The Mirror, describe a sustained campaign of threats against players, referees, and team staff across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While numerous athletes were targeted, investigators noted that Argentina's Lionel Messi remained the central focus of high-priority terror alerts.
Specific Threats Against Messi and Argentina
The leaked dossier outlines several chilling incidents managed by the FBI and the Centre for International Police Cooperation (IPCC). Prior to a match against Jordan, a caller at the Dallas airport claimed to have coordinated a three-person team armed with homemade explosives and an AR-15 rifle. The report indicates the caller specifically intended to target police and players, with a focused mention of Messi. During a July 7 fixture against Egypt in Atlanta, authorities tracked a social media post on X from a user claiming they intended to detonate four body-worn bombs inside the stadium. That same match prompted a deployment of bomb disposal units and canine teams after a separate tip alleged three explosive devices were hidden in stadium rubbish bins.
Elite Players and Officials Under Siege
The security burden extended beyond the Argentine squad. Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo required increased protection following multiple stalking incidents. One report describes a FIFA employee flagging a suspicious individual seeking Ronaldo's private accommodation details. In a separate Miami security breach, police arrested a man who successfully infiltrated the Portuguese team hotel and attempted to enter an elevator with Ronaldo, later claiming he only sought a photograph. Match officials were not spared; French referee François Letexier reportedly received over 6,000 threatening WhatsApp messages after the Argentina-Egypt match, while VAR official Willy Delajod faced death threats.
Key Facts
- Lionel Messi was identified in the dossier as the tournament's most frequent target for terror-related threats.
- The FBI and IPCC monitored a combined spectrum of bomb threats, stalking, and violent digital harassment.
- France forward Kylian Mbappé was subjected to xenophobic abuse and social media images of a burning effigy.
- South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo and his entire squad required heavy police escorts following death threats after their elimination.
- Security incidents involving unauthorized access were recorded in Houston, Toronto, Miami, and Atlanta.
Background
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by three nations, necessitated an unprecedented scale of international police cooperation. The leaked files suggest that despite the public success of the tournament, security agencies were constantly managing credible threats against high-profile participants. The dossier confirms that even non-terror incidents, such as the threats against Norwegian striker Alexander Sørloth and Colombian player Jaminton Campaz following on-field errors, were treated as significant risks to athlete safety.
Source: The Times of India
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