Lionel Messi was reportedly the target of multiple serious security threats during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a leaked police dossier that has shed new light on the security challenges faced by football’s biggest stars.
The documents, reportedly cited by Spanish media, describe several incidents involving bomb threats, stalking and threats of violence against players and officials during the tournament. One of the most alarming claims involved an individual allegedly threatening to enter an Atlanta stadium with four bombs strapped to their body and attack Messi.
The reported threat emerged around Argentina’s match against Egypt. According to reports based on the leaked documents, authorities treated the message as a serious security concern and investigated the potential threat. Another bomb-related warning was reportedly received before Argentina’s group-stage game against Jordan.
The threats did not result in an attack. Security teams carried out searches and heightened protective measures around venues, while authorities monitored individuals and information considered potentially dangerous. The FBI later said that no major security incident occurred during the 39-day World Cup in the United States, with nearly 5,000 FBI personnel and 59 Homeland Security Task Forces involved in the wider security operation.
Messi was not the only high-profile football figure mentioned in the dossier. Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly faced separate security concerns, including an incident involving a person seeking information about his accommodation. Referees and other players were also subjected to threats and harassment during the competition.
The revelations come weeks after security experts had warned that the 2026 World Cup could attract a wide range of threats, particularly from lone actors or small groups targeting crowded public spaces. A May assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies said fan zones, transport areas, hotels, restaurants and stadium queues could represent vulnerable locations.
US intelligence and law-enforcement agencies had spent months preparing for the tournament. The National Counterterrorism Center coordinated with federal, state and local authorities on terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime and other potential risks ahead of the event.
The leaked dossier offers a glimpse into incidents that remained largely out of public view while the tournament was underway. Importantly, reports of the threats do not mean that every warning represented a confirmed operational terror plot; authorities investigated the allegations and no major attack took place.
The disclosures nevertheless underline the extraordinary security burden surrounding a tournament watched by millions worldwide, and the level of protection required for players such as Messi, whose global profile makes them potential targets for individuals seeking attention through threats or violence.
