Under the watchful eye of surveillance cameras, fans leave after the France-Senegal World Cup match in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 16, 2026.

(STATE COLLEGE, PENN.) The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest sporting event in history. It’s also the most surveilled World Cup ever. If you’re visiting or traveling around host cities, then you and your face, behavior, movement and devices are being monitored by governments and private companies.

The U.S. government funneled more than US$1 billion to World Cup security to protect transit hubs, stadiums and surrounding areas; improve tactical operations such as bomb squads and SWAT teams; and add and upgrade equipment. It’s been a bonanza for the private sector.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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