Leaked security report details alleged World Cup plots targeting Messi, Ronaldo and officials

A leaked security file from US police has revealed the scale of threats surrounding the World Cup, including alleged terrorist plots and death threats aimed at some of the tournament’s leading players, referees and coaching staff.

According to the document, reported by British newspaper The Sun after it was published by Informacion.es, Argentina and Lionel Messi were at the centre of several threats.

Before Argentina’s match against Jordan, a man reportedly called Dallas airport and threatened to storm the stadium with two other people. He claimed the group had grenades and an AR-15 rifle, and said they would attack police officers and players from both teams. Messi was specifically named as a target for assassination.

A similar threat emerged ahead of Argentina’s game against Egypt. One suspect allegedly wrote on X that he would enter the stadium in Atlanta and detonate four bombs strapped to his body in an attempt to kill Messi.

Police also received another call during the same fixture claiming that three bombs had been placed inside rubbish bins in the stands. The report said a large-scale search followed, involving explosives experts and sniffer dogs.

Cristiano Ronaldo was also among the players whose security was reportedly compromised. A FIFA employee told authorities that a suspicious man had asked for information about where the Portugal captain was staying.

In a separate incident, another fan entered Ronaldo’s hotel and attempted to ride in the lift with him. When stopped by police, the supporter claimed he had only wanted a selfie.

Match officials were also subjected to abuse and threats. French referee Francois Letexier reportedly received more than 6,000 threatening messages on WhatsApp after his decisions during Argentina’s match against Egypt. Video assistant referee Willy Delajod was also said to have received death threats from angry Egypt supporters.

Players who missed decisive opportunities faced similar hostility. Norway forward Alexander Sørloth and his wife reportedly received death threats after he failed to pass to Erling Haaland during the quarter-final against England. Colombia’s Jhaminton Campaz was said to have faced the same treatment after missing a penalty and was unable even to travel home with his national team.

The incidents recalled the killing of Colombia defender Andres Escobar in 1994, after he scored an own goal.

Other episodes in the file included supporters in Paraguay burning an effigy bearing Kylian Mbappe’s name after their side lost to France. The France forward was also subjected to racist chants, including an attack from a Paraguayan senator.

South Korea’s team was placed under heavy protection after its group-stage exit. Coach Hong Myung-bo became the focus of public anger, prompting police to investigate the process that led to his appointment.

England’s media centre also suffered a security breach when a man carrying a wrench entered while shouting. The facility was subsequently transformed into a heavily fortified compound, with three security rings, concrete barriers and anti-sniper screens.

A no-fly zone was imposed to prevent drone attacks, while large numbers of armed police were deployed. The arrangements were described in the report as making this the most heavily protected edition of the World Cup ever.