Unauthorized drone panic in Mexico: UAV shot down near World Cup camp

Within the framework of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico, an unauthorized UAV was detected flying near the South Korean national football team's camp. Mexican security officials stated that the vehicle was quickly brought down and did not cause any damage.

Growing security concerns in the tournament, which is co-hosted by Mexico, the USA, and Canada, have returned to the agenda with this incident. The event drew attention particularly because it occurred before the critical match between Mexico and South Korea. It is not yet known whether the downed drone was being used to spy on the opposing team's training.

South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo stated, "We learned that there was a UAV in the sky during our training on Tuesday. Fortunately, we noticed it just before we started our tactical work, so it did not affect us. However, it was unfortunate that it happened during the most critical period when we were preparing for the match."

According to information provided by authorities, several other drones attempting to enter security zones at stadiums in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey have been intercepted since the tournament began.

Such incidents have been causing controversy in sports organizations recently. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Canadian Women's National Team was accused of using an unauthorized drone to watch New Zealand's training, and some technical staff members were dismissed following the incident.

In the latest incident in Mexico, the rapid intervention is being cited as an important example of ensuring the security of teams and the organizing committee against potential information leaks.