EnforceAir platform supported public safety agencies across host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
As major international sporting events continue to face growing concerns over unauthorized drone activity, counter-UAS technology has become an increasingly important part of event security planning. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, required coordinated security efforts spanning dozens of venues and multiple levels of government.
This week, D-Fend Solutions announced that its EnforceAir counter-drone platform was deployed by more than 20 public safety agencies during the tournament. According to the company, national, federal, state, and local agencies used the system to help protect stadiums, surrounding areas, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive locations throughout the event.
A Multi-Agency Counter-Drone Deployment
The company said the deployment represented one of its largest coordinated operations to date. Agencies across North America used the EnforceAir system as part of a layered security approach designed to address unauthorized drone activity while minimizing disruption to surrounding operations.
Unlike systems that rely on radio frequency jamming or kinetic methods, EnforceAir uses a cyber-based approach intended to take control of supported drones and bring them to a controlled outcome without disrupting nearby communications or GPS-dependent services.
D-Fend Solutions said operational details remained confidential before and during the tournament, reflecting the security requirements associated with a global event of this scale.
“The unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup required a sophisticated, multi-layered approach to airspace safety, and the widespread deployment of EnforceAir is a profound validation of the trust elite public safety agencies place in D-Fend Solutions,” said Zohar Halachmi, Chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions. “Protecting high-stakes events of this magnitude is exactly what our technology is built to do. By providing a non-kinetic, RF cyber-takeover capability, we enabled security professionals to safely mitigate drone risks without disrupting the matches, surrounding critical infrastructure, or vital communications, serving as a trusted foundational layer for operational safety in the security architecture for the world’s biggest games.”
Counter-UAS Demand Continues to Grow
Large sporting events have become an important proving ground for counter-drone technologies. Unauthorized drones can disrupt operations, create safety risks, and interfere with emergency response activities. As a result, organizers increasingly rely on layered security systems that include airspace monitoring alongside traditional ground security.
In the United States, recent legislation has expanded access to certain counter-UAS technologies for state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety organizations. That change has allowed more agencies to evaluate and deploy specialized systems for major public events and critical infrastructure protection.
D-Fend Solutions said its growing presence in these markets reflects increasing demand for non-kinetic counter-drone capabilities that can operate without disrupting nearby communications.
Public Safety Agencies Describe Their Experience
Several agencies involved in World Cup security agreed to publicly discuss their use of the EnforceAir system.
“The Atlanta Police Department is committed to delivering a safe experience for everyone attending World Cup events in our city. EnforceAir has strengthened our ability to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activity.”
– Sergeant Kindu J. Franklin, City of Atlanta Police Department
“Cobb County is committed to supporting a safe and secure FIFA World Cup experience for all who attend. EnforceAir has been a valuable component of the counter-drone capabilities deployed for this event.”
– Lieutenant Justin M. Bullis, Homeland Security Unit, Cobb County Police Department
“Ensuring airspace safety at major international sporting matches requires absolute precision. EnforceAir served as a vital, non-disruptive layer in our security architecture to mitigate unauthorized drone activities during the events.”
– Jesús Alfredo Hernández Olvera, Director General, Cyber Investigation and Technological Operations, Secretariat of Citizen Security, Mexico City Police
Counter-Drone Systems Become Part of Major Event Security
The 2026 FIFA World Cup required security coordination across three countries and numerous host cities, making it one of the largest sporting events ever held in North America. As drone use continues to expand, security agencies are increasingly incorporating counter-UAS technologies into their planning for stadiums, transportation hubs, and other high-profile venues.
D-Fend Solutions says its EnforceAir platform has now been deployed thousands of times worldwide across military, public safety, airport, prison, and critical infrastructure environments. The World Cup deployment adds another high-profile example of counter-drone systems becoming a standard element of security planning for major international events.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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