England’s 4-2 win over Croatia on Tuesday night offered an early reminder that goals are rarely in short supply at a World Cup. Yet as fans celebrate the action on the pitch, security teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico are focused on a different challenge: protecting the vast network of connected infrastructure that keeps the tournament running. From smart turnstiles and digital ticketing systems to CCTV networks, building management platforms, stadium-wide communications infrastructure and even a smart ball, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is as much a technological undertaking as a sporting spectacle. Organisers must not only deliver matches across three countries and 16 host cities, but also safeguard the interconnected systems that enable millions of supporters to move through venues, access services, and stay connected. Modern stadiums increasingly resemble connected industrial environments, combining lighting controls, environmental management systems, digital signage, access-control technologies, surveillance infrastructure, and communications networks into a single operational ecosystem. “World Cup host cities are currently welcoming millions of people, including players, officials, game sponsors, and media personnel,” says Cynthia Overby, Director of Strategic Security Solutions at Rocket Software. “With many relying heavily on connected devices and public networks, the tournament is creating an unmissable opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit.” Overby says organisations must adopt a layered security strategy that extends beyond traditional network defences. This includes isolating operational technology such as stadium lighting, HVAC systems, and digital signage from corporate IT environments and public-facing networks. The scale of the challenge is amplified by the size of the tournament. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time, the 2026 competition spans multiple jurisdictions, dozens of venues, and millions of visitors. Each host city relies on a complex web of technology providers, telecommunications networks, transport operators, broadcasters, payment platforms, and third-party contractors. That growing interconnectedness is creating