2026 FIFA World Cup
United States Edition.

From 17 November 2025 to 17 April 2026, Seerist recorded verified unrest, crime, and terrorism events across New York City: 87.9% unrest, 11.6% crime, 1 terrorism event. Spikes in event activity typically corresponded to civil-society responses to international developments — most often through protest activity.

Crime rates vary considerably by neighborhood. East New York, parts of the Bronx, and sections of Harlem report relatively higher rates. Petty crime — pickpocketing, scams — is more common in Times Square, Midtown, and on public transit.

New York is regularly assessed as a prominent potential target for terrorist activity in the United States, largely due to its global cultural, economic, and symbolic significance. DHS and NYPD maintain a high level of vigilance, particularly around Times Square, One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the United Nations headquarters.

Getting to MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup presents significant financial and logistical challenges. Round-trip train fares from Penn Station will surge nearly 12-fold to $150; bus tickets will cost $80. General on-site parking will be unavailable for most fans, with the limited spots costing over $200. Only 40,000 rail tickets will be sold per match. Penn Station will implement four-hour access restrictions for non-ticket holders before games to manage the anticipated 78,000 daily visitors. Governor Kathy Hochul described the costs as 'awfully high'.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, the frequency of verified unrest events in Boston and the surrounding area peaked on January 10 and from January 20 to February 4. These peaks coincided with protests related to nationwide ICE raids and the US military operation in Venezuela involving the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Boston is assessed to have a generally favorable security environment, with crime rates lower than most other large US cities. According to FBI data for 2023, Boston ranked as the 16th-safest among the 50 largest US cities for overall violent crime rates.

Neighborhoods in southern Boston — Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury — as well as East Boston, report relatively higher crime rates. Unrest events are most frequently recorded in the Downtown area and near universities in the Greater Boston region.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, of the verified unrest and crime events recorded in Los Angeles, 85.5% were unrest; within that subset, 75.3% were protests and 1.1% involved blockades. Event frequency peaked on December 18 and from January 8 to March 2 — periods corresponding with protests related to nationwide ICE raids and the start of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

In April 2026, nearly 2,000 employees at SoFi Stadium threatened a general strike if ICE operates in the city during the World Cup. The union Unite Here Local 11 filed a complaint against FIFA, alleging a climate of fear and intimidation among workers who are afraid to report for duty if ICE is present. These labor disputes, coupled with demands for collective bargaining and affordable housing, threaten to disrupt preparations and operations for the tournament.

Los Angeles has experienced a sharp increase in protest activity since early 2025, primarily driven by opposition to the Trump administration's core policy priorities. In June 2025, anti-ICE and mass deportation protests lasted for five consecutive days, leading to a curfew in downtown LA. During these events, approximately 23 businesses were looted and nearly 200 people were arrested.

The largest Iranian diaspora outside of Iran is based in Los Angeles, in an area known as 'Teherangeles', located in Westwood. A large presence of Iranian nationals during matches is expected — Iran is scheduled to play two of their FIFA World Cup matches in Los Angeles on 15 June and 21 June — which may present opportunities for unrest.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, verified unrest and crime events recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area were classified as 88.0% unrest and 12.0% crime.

Event frequency peaked on January 10 and 28, and February 4 and 28, with seven and six unrest events logged respectively. These periods corresponded with protests related to ICE raids, general anti-government movements, and the start of the Iran conflict.

The San Francisco Bay Area is assessed to have a generally low security risk level, though its overall crime rate is above state and national averages. Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with more serious violent crimes tending to occur in areas less frequented by tourists, typically outside downtown locations.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, of the crime and unrest events recorded in Houston, 53.6% were classified as unrest and 46.4% as crime. Event frequency peaked between January 4 and 27, with two and eight cumulative unrest events logged respectively. These periods coincided with protests related to ICE raids and subsequent unrest following developments in Venezuela.

Houston is assessed to have a generally low security risk level, although its overall crime rate is above state and national averages. Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood. Petty crimes — pickpocketing, vehicle break-ins, bag theft — are more commonly reported in high-traffic areas such as Downtown, the Galleria, and the Museum District.

These locations are regularly patrolled by law enforcement, but the high volume of visitors may increase the risk of opportunistic crime. More serious violent crimes typically occur in neighborhoods less frequented by tourists.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, Seerist recorded verified unrest and crime events in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with 65.6% categorized as unrest and 34.4% as crime. The most frequently recorded events were protests (21), shootings (11), and a robbery.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is assessed to have a generally low security risk level. However, crime rates vary: Fort Worth and Dallas report rates above state and national averages, while Arlington's crime rate is below the national average. Crime rates in all three cities vary significantly by neighborhood; more serious violent crimes tend to be concentrated in areas less frequented by tourists.

Following the launch of US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February 2026, major Texas cities experienced significant unrest. In Austin, a gunman opened fire at a bar on 1 March 2026, killing two and injuring 14; the FBI investigated the attack as a potential act of terrorism motivated by retaliation for the strikes.

The 'No Kings' movement organized multiple rounds of large-scale demonstrations across Texas to oppose the Trump administration's policies. By March 2026, the movement reached its third round of action, with thousands of demonstrators pouring into the streets of Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, and Arlington on 28 March.

Large public gatherings in Texas cities were marred by sudden outbreaks of violence. In February 2026, a shooting occurred in northeast Houston during a large trail-ride gathering of hundreds of people. The incident, which took place as officers were attempting to disperse the crowd, resulted in six people being shot, including two who were left in critical condition.

Between 17 November 2025 and 17 April 2026, of the verified unrest and crime events recorded in Miami and the surrounding localities, 66.7% were classified as unrest and 33.3% as crime. Event frequency peaked on December 10 and January 3 — periods corresponding with protests related to nationwide ICE raids and the US military operation in Venezuela involving the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.

Miami is assessed to have a mixed security environment, with crime rates ranging from above to within national averages. More serious violent crimes are typically concentrated in areas less frequented by tourists, often outside downtown locations.

The instability in Cuba significantly impacts Miami's security environment by necessitating heightened police readiness for civil unrest and increasing the risk of maritime security incidents. March 2026 assessments from Miami police indicate that political volatility in Havana is expected to trigger large-scale spontaneous marches and vehicle caravans in areas like Little Havana, Brickell, and downtown Miami.

While the island's economic collapse — nationwide blackouts, severe shortages — creates pressure for mass migration, border restrictions have limited the immediate impact of such a surge. However, direct security risks have manifested in lethal confrontations, such as a February 2026 incident where a Florida-registered vessel engaged in a firefight with Cuban forces. The local security apparatus remains on high alert for domestic disruptions, exemplified by the April 2026 lockdowns of Miami schools following bomb threats.

Instability in Cuba has deepened political polarization within Miami, where the diaspora community is actively preparing for potential regime change.

From 17 November 2025 to 17 April 2026, of the verified unrest and crime events recorded in Seattle, approximately 91% were unrest and 9% crime. Within unrest, the majority was protest-related activity. Recorded crime incidents varied between shootings, knife/bladed attacks, and assaults with a blunt weapon.

Seattle is a broadly low-risk destination, but there are areas where caution is advised. Tourist areas are generally considered safe, while violent crime is a concern in specific neighborhoods. The city has an active protest culture, which can lead to transport disruption or unrest.

Downtown Seattle experienced significant civil unrest in June 2025 as hundreds of protesters marched toward the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building. These anti-ICE demonstrations escalated into violent clashes when protesters launched fireworks and threw rocks at law enforcement. Police responded with dispersal orders and pepper spray. A large dumpster fire was reported and subsequently extinguished.

April 2026 reports highlight ongoing struggles with open-air drug use and homelessness throughout Seattle's streets. King County data from early 2026 suggests a 32% decrease in fatal overdoses over the past two years, though the presence of drug addicts remains a primary concern for the new mayoral administration.

The tournament will place significant pressure on Seattle's urban infrastructure, with six matches scheduled at Lumen Field. The city has undertaken massive waste-clearing efforts, scrubbing 1.2 million pounds of waste in early 2026, but businesses should expect episodic operational disruptions. A partial US government shutdown in place since February 2026 has delayed federal security funding, potentially constraining law enforcement capacity.

Atlanta hosts eight 2026 matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — a group-stage schedule plus a Round of 32, Round of 16, and the second semifinal on 15 July. Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest passenger airport in the world; capacity is not the constraint, security throughput in the run-up to knockout matches will be.

The metro is assessed as a generally low security risk for visitors, though aggregate crime rates in the City of Atlanta sit above state and national averages. As in most major US host cities, more serious violent crime concentrates in neighbourhoods that tourists rarely transit; downtown around the venue is well-patrolled.

Protest activity in Atlanta has been recurring rather than episodic — anti-ICE demonstrations through 2025-2026, periodic actions tied to the broader 'No Kings' movement, and ongoing organising around the city's public-safety training centre. Expect demonstrations within walking distance of the stadium on match days, particularly around the federal building and Centennial Olympic Park.

Philadelphia hosts six matches at Lincoln Financial Field across the group stage, Round of 32, and Round of 16 (4 July). The Sports Complex sits well south of Center City; SEPTA's Broad Street Line is the primary access corridor and a known operational pinch point during major events.

Crime rates in the City of Philadelphia sit above state and national averages, though the distribution is heavily neighbourhood-dependent. Center City — where most visitors will base — reports lower violent-crime rates than the city aggregate, and the area surrounding the Sports Complex is heavily policed during events at the four-stadium campus.

Center City has been the recurring focal point for protest activity through 2025-2026, with anti-ICE demonstrations near the Federal Detention Center and periodic 'No Kings' actions at City Hall. Expect demonstrations near Independence Hall and along Market Street that may coincide with match days; the venue itself is unlikely to be a primary target.

Kansas City hosts six matches at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, including a Round of 32, Round of 16, and the quarterfinal on 11 July. Arrowhead sits east of downtown in the Truman Sports Complex; access is heavily car-dependent and parking-driven, with limited transit options at scale.

Crime in the Kansas City metro is below the typical baseline of the larger US host cities, though violent-crime rates in specific neighbourhoods of KCMO proper run above national averages. The downtown corridor and Country Club Plaza — likely visitor footprints — are well-policed.

Protest activity has been intermittent rather than sustained; the city has seen ICE-related demonstrations and 'No Kings' actions but at lower intensity than the coastal venues. The 2024 Super Bowl victory-parade shooting remains a live reference point for local public-safety planners; expect a heavy security posture around fan-zone events even outside match days.