Iran-Linked Hackers Threaten World Cup After Alleged FBI Drone Breach

An Iran-linked hacker group known as Handala says it breached FBI surveillance drones and threatened the 2026 World Cup, the SITE Intelligence Group revealed.

The warning lands days into a tournament already guarded by heavy federal security, and it names team buses as a possible target.

Who is Handala, the Iranian Hactivist Group?

Handala presents itself as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist collective. However, US officials and Western researchers assess it as a front for Iranian intelligence.

The group has targeted Israeli-linked entities and other countries since December 2023. Its activity sharpened after US-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February.

In March, Handala claimed it had hacked the email of FBI Director Kash Patel. It then published personal photos and other material.

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The Drone Threat and a Disputed Claim

Handala said in the statement quoted by The SITE Intelligence Group that it had access “for months” to footage from first-person view (FPV) drones used by the FBI. 

The drones run facial recognition and license plate checks for counterterrorism. The group issued a direct warning.

“Better tighten your World Cup security, we don’t like some of those teams at all. Don’t forget: FPVs are everywhere; you never know when one might end up right in your team’s bus,” Handala said.

However, SITE questioned the group’s evidence. It found that one supposed hack video came from a software firm’s December 2024 promotion.

The State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of Handala members. The reward shows how seriously Washington treats the group.

The FIFA World Cup tournament runs through July 19 across 16 cities. Whether the threat proves real or not, it raises the security stakes for an event watched by billions.

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