2026 FIFA World Cup Security at Risk: White House Calls DHS Reopening ‘Essential’ After Trump Assassination Attempt

White House officials overseeing security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have declared the reopening of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “essential”, following an alleged assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump at a high-profile event in Washington DC.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was charged after allegedly charging past a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday while carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun, and three knives, according to prosecutors. Allen did not enter a plea when he appeared in court on Monday. The incident has since triggered a formal review of presidential security arrangements.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House World Cup task force, addressed the episode directly in a statement issued to BBC Sport, describing it as “a sobering reminder of the unpredictable threats facing our nation.” Giuliani added: “The swift response by law enforcement and Secret Service agents saved lives, but the chaos underscored the critical need for a fully operational Department of Homeland Security.”

“As we prepare for the unprecedented scale of the Fifa World Cup, with millions of visitors and dozens of major events across the country, reopening DHS is essential,” Giuliani continued. “We cannot afford complacency — the stakes are simply too high.”

The DHS, which carries primary federal responsibility for security operations at the tournament on US soil, has been subject to a partial shutdown lasting nine weeks. Officials had already warned earlier this month that the closure was disrupting preparations and hampering coordination between local and federal agencies. The shutdown stems from a congressional funding dispute in which Democrats have withheld support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — a DHS agency — pending reforms, following two fatal shootings involving federal agents in Minneapolis in January.

Republican congressman Mike Lawler, who represents host city New York, was unequivocal in his criticism this week: “You’re talking about an international event in the area most targeted for terrorism. It is insane that we are in a situation where the department responsible for coordinating the security of this event has been shut down for over 110 days. At a time we’re at war, by the way.”

On Monday, President Trump urged Republican members of Congress to agree on legislation by the start of June, signalling urgency around resolving the impasse. The security concerns were first reported by The Telegraph.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the first to feature 48 teams — will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19. With millions of international visitors expected across multiple host cities, the scale of the security operation required is described by officials as unprecedented. The tournament’s proximity means any prolonged institutional disruption to federal security agencies carries significant logistical consequences for planners and local law enforcement alike.

US rights groups had already raised separate concerns earlier this week, urging caution for international visitors travelling to the United States for the tournament, adding another layer of reputational and operational pressure on organisers as the countdown to kick-off continues.