A leaked US police security file has revealed the scale of threats surrounding the World Cup, including alleged terrorist plots and death threats aimed at leading players, referees and coaching staff.
The document, reported by The Sun after being published by Spanish website Informacion.es, claims Argentina and Lionel Messi were among the main targets.
Before Argentina’s match against Jordan, a man allegedly contacted Dallas airport and threatened to storm the stadium with two other people. He claimed they were carrying hand grenades and an AR-15 rifle and said they intended to attack police officers and players from both teams. Messi was specifically named as someone he wanted to kill.
A similar threat was reported before Argentina’s game against Egypt. One suspect allegedly posted on X that he would enter Atlanta’s stadium and blow himself up using four bombs strapped to his body, with Messi as the intended target.
Police also received a separate call during the same match claiming that three bombs had been placed inside rubbish bins in the stands. The allegation prompted a large-scale search involving explosives experts and sniffer dogs.
Cristiano Ronaldo was also mentioned in the security report. A FIFA employee reportedly alerted authorities after a suspicious man asked for information about where the Portugal captain was staying.
In another incident, a supporter allegedly entered Ronaldo’s hotel and tried to travel with him in a lift. When stopped by police, the man said he had only wanted a selfie.
Referees and players targeted
Match officials were among those subjected to threats after contentious decisions. French referee Francois Letexier reportedly received more than 6,000 threatening WhatsApp messages following his performance in Argentina’s match against Egypt.
Video assistant referee Willy Delajod was also said to have received death threats from angry Egypt supporters.
Players who missed important opportunities faced similar abuse. Norway forward Alexander Sørloth and his wife reportedly received death threats after he failed to pass to Erling Haaland during the quarter-final against England.
Colombia’s Jamilton Campaz was said to have experienced the same treatment after missing a penalty. According to the report, he was unable even to return home with the Colombia squad.
The incidents recall the killing of Colombia defender Andres Escobar in 1994, after he scored an own goal.
Other episodes listed in the file included Paraguay supporters burning an effigy bearing Kylian Mbappe’s name after their side lost to France. The France forward was also subjected to racist chants, including abuse from a Paraguayan senator.
South Korea were given increased protection after their group-stage elimination. Their manager, Hong Myung-bo, became the focus of public anger, leading police to investigate the process by which he had been appointed.
England’s media centre also suffered a security breach when a man carrying a wrench entered while shouting. The facility was subsequently transformed into a heavily fortified site protected by three security rings, concrete barriers and anti-sniper screens.
A no-fly zone was imposed to guard against drone attacks, while large numbers of armed police were deployed. The security arrangements were described as making it the most heavily protected edition of the World Cup ever held.
