An Iran-linked hacker group, Handala, has claimed responsibility for breaching FBI drones used for World Cup security, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The group alleged access to 'every image and every suspect' captured by first-person view (FPV) drones, which feature facial recognition and license plate screening for counterterrorism purposes. Handala issued a warning targeting the World Cup, stating, '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.'
The FBI is deploying drones around World Cup stadiums and related events in the U.S. to prevent unauthorized aircraft. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flights are banned over stadiums and fan zones during the tournament. Handala published photos and footage it claimed were obtained from the hacked drones, but SITE disputed the authenticity of the materials. One video was identified as promotional content from a software platform in December 2024, unrelated to the alleged breach.
The Justice Department has previously warned of potential cyberattacks by Iranian actors following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran in February. Handala had previously claimed to hack FBI Director Kash Patel's email account in March, publishing personal photos and other material. The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification of group members.