As World Cup matches begin, the Secret Service is preparing to protect visiting heads of state across 11 U.S. host cities including Dallas.
matches beginning this weekend, federal security officials are also preparing for another challenge: protecting visiting heads of state from around the world.
"This is a huge undertaking," said Christina Foley, special agent-in-charge of the U.S. Secret Service's Dallas Field Office. Foley is serving in a dual role during the tournament. She is both the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Coordinator for the Dallas World Cup and the head of the Secret Service office in Dallas.
Edward Ayala, NBC 5 InvestigatesThat means helping oversee security at team training sites, the FIFA Fan Festival, and World Cup matches in North Texas while also preparing for visits by foreign leaders that may be confirmed with little advance notice.
"You look at those later matches, we don't even know who's gonna be in those yet," Foley said. "But there is a standing offer from FIFA for their head of state and head of government; if they wish to, they can come to the game to watch their team play.
" As teams advance through the tournament, that could mean Secret Service agents protecting multiple royal families, presidents and other world leaders at the same time, in the midst of what federal officials have described as the most complex security operation in U.S. history, with 78 World Cup matches planned across the U.S. host cities. "Yes, but we also have many offices," Foley responded.
"So, if it came to a particular game where we had a very robust protection plan due to multiple protectees, we could always bring in other agents from other cities. " Foley said the planning resembles the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York, when world leaders visit the city simultaneously and motorcades move throughout the area. "What that looks like for the Secret Service, that looks like daily work for us," Foley said.
"We're very used to that across the service. We protect thousands of visits per year, whether that be here domestically or overseas.
" Once the Secret Service learns of a planned visit, Foley said the agency's protective intelligence and threat assessment division begins gathering and analyzing information related to potential threats. "They're going to share that information with us because we need to know all the information we have prior to making any movements or executing a security plan," she said. Asked whether authorities are aware of any credible threats involving World Cup events in North Texas, Foley said they are not.
"No," she said. "And I think that at this point, if there was something going on like that, right, that part of it is making sure that the public's informed. So if there were something like that, that information would already be going out.
"AT&T Stadium in Arlington is partially dressed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "Will something occur? Possibly. I mean, it is a huge event across a giant Metroplex," she said.
Even so, she said she is confident law enforcement agencies throughout North Texas are prepared to respond if needed.
"Anything that occurs, I'm very confident that we can adjust to," Foley said. "I feel like all the people that should be in the room have been in the room. " Foley said she welcomed the opportunity to lead federal security efforts in the city that hosts the most World Cup matches. Part of that enthusiasm comes from being a soccer fan who has played the sport since childhood.
NBC 5's Senior Investigative Reporter Scott Friedman, left, talks with Christina Foley, special agent-in-charge of the U.S. Secret Service's Dallas Field Office.
"There may be a couple that I record and watch more in detail later," Foley said when asked whether she would have time to enjoy any matches. "Not really, not when it comes down to work. "Japan has confirmed that Princess Takamado will attend Sunday's Japan-Netherlands match in Dallas. England is scheduled to play in North Texas less than a week later.
The British Royal Family has not announced any travel plans, although British media outlets have speculated that Prince William could attend if England advances into the later rounds of the tournament. What about traffic and motorcades? The Secret Service says it will work to minimize street closures associated with visiting dignitaries. Officials said the public will be notified if larger-scale traffic disruptions become necessary during later rounds of the tournament.
Local law enforcement agencies will also be escorting team buses between airports, hotels, training facilities and stadiums. Residents across North Texas may notice increased police motorcycle escorts and motorcades as World Cup events get underway.
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