FIFA World Cup 2026: FBI seizes 28 drones near SoFi Stadium, LA Coliseum

FBI agents have seized 28 drones near SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum since Friday, the agency's L.A. field office said.

The drones were not seized because of any threat or plot but because they were flying in the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone that has been set up for the World Cup.

The FBI said there is "zero tolerance" for drones flying in the World Cup and that drone detection technology is in place.

The agency said security was already in a heighted state for the World Cup even before the thwarted plot targeting the White House UFC event was made public.

Iran opened its politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night, overcoming two deficits and getting the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebbi in the 64th minute.

Ramin Rezaeian scored an early goal and assisted on Mohebbi's goal for the Iranians, whose World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the U.S.

Iran moved its training base during the tournament from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, and the team is flying into the U.S. on the day before each game before returning quickly to Mexico. Captain Mehdi Taremi acknowledged that this World Cup has been a difficult experience containing little of the joy that soccer represents to him and his teammates.

Team Melli began the tournament before a strong pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, which has the world's largest population of Iranians outside Iran. While several hundred Iranian Americans protested the government outside, many fans from the diaspora jeered and turned their backs on the field during the national anthem - but almost all appeared to support the Iranian players once the match kicked off.

Elijah Just scored early in each half for New Zealand, but Iran responded twice to keep the All Whites winless in their World Cup history. New Zealand still matched its entire goal total from each of its two previous World Cup runs while posting an impressive result against a team ranked 65 places higher by FIFA.

After the raucous pregame atmosphere, New Zealand stunned the crowd in the seventh minute when captain Chris Wood intercepted a goal kick and eventually forced the ball to Just, who volleyed home a beautiful goal in traffic.

Iran found its footing and equalized in the 32nd minute when Rezaeian chipped a goal with the outside of his boot.

Just connected again in the 54th minute with more help from Wood, who held up play and found Just for a shot through traffic.

But Iran equalized again in the 64th minute when Rezaeian put a perfect long pass on the head of Mohebbi. Both teams had scoring chances afterward, but couldn't connect.

Players from both teams embraced and shook hands after the final whistle, with at least one jersey swap occurring. While Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei sat by himself in the dugout, his players gathered together and walked around the field applauding their thousands of flag-waving, roaring fans.

Iran is ranked 20th in its seventh World Cup appearance, including four straight. Team Melli has never advanced from the group stage.

New Zealand qualified for its first World Cup since 2010 despite being the lowest-rated team in the field, entering at 85th in the world. The All Whites seized the first automatic qualifying berth for the 13-member Oceania Football Confederation after the World Cup expanded to 48 teams.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez may have scored the goals, but a duck stole the show.

As Mexico celebrated its World Cup-opening victory over South Africa on Thursday, Merlin, a 2-year-old duck dressed in the national team's colors, became an unlikely internet sensation and the tournament's first unofficial mascot.

Images of Merlin parading through Mexico City, wearing a Mexican national team jersey - and socks - as thousands of fans celebrated, quickly went viral, racking up millions of views across social media. Overnight, and as if by the magic of the famous wizard who inspired his name, Merlin had captivated the internet.

"We want to see Merlin in the stadium," one user wrote. "This duck is already a national treasure," said another. "The best thing about the World Cup so far," declared a third.

In Mexico City, however, Merlin was already something of a local celebrity.

A familiar sight at fairs and events in the historic city center, the duck regularly accompanies his owner, Carla Gómez, who sells water and soft drinks from a little cart each weekend. Along the way, the animal attracts plenty of delighted squeals, affectionate greetings and eager requests from passersby for a photo together.

"We don't like to leave him alone at home; we like him to be with us. He's our baby," Gómez said. "He's the baby, the sole heir to all my possessions and now an idol."

Rain or shine, Merlin follows Gómez and her young son Cristian through some of the capital's best-known landmarks, including Alameda Central, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Zócalo square. The duck shares a particularly close bond with Cristian, for whom he was originally a gift, becoming what Gómez describes as the boy's inseparable companion.

"Merlin had already become famous for selling bottled water," Gómez said, recalling her surprise at her pet's sudden rise to fame.

"He is always with us; we never imagined he'd become such a sensation," she added. "We weren't expecting it."

On Monday, Gómez - and Merlin - met with FIFA representatives to shoot photos and a commercial. Now, the family hopes Mexico's famous feathered supporter can continue bringing luck to the host nation, which is staging the World Cup for the third time after hosting the tournament in 1970 and 1986 - this time a co-host alongside Canada and the United States.

"Mexico, we are with you," Gómez said. "And Merlin is your No. 1 fan."

Demonstrators gathered outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to protest the Iranian government ahead of Iran's first World Cup match.

Despite the unusual position of opposing a national team during an international competition, Iranian American demonstrators said they remain firm in their stance. They argued that the players represent a government they view as repressive.

Demonstrators gathered outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to protest the Iranian government ahead of Iran's World Cup match.

"It's not our national team, it's Islamic Republic team," said Iranian activist Arash Razi.

The match starts at 6 p.m. The protest was expected to continue through the evening.

The Los Angeles area is home to the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of Southern California's Iranian Americans arrived after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and a hub of eateries, shops and markets about 10 miles from the stadium is known as "Tehrangeles."

Draped in red and green flags emblazoned with the golden lion and sun, demonstrators gathered outside the stadium where Iran will face New Zealand. Just hours before kickoff, a Los Angeles judge upheld FIFA's ban on the pre-revolutionary flag at matches, The Athletic reported.

Iran's participation in the tournament has been fraught with conflict because of the country's war with U.S. and Israeli forces. Late Sunday, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had reached a deal with Iran to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Feb. 28 has rattled the region and virtually shut down oil and natural gas shipments from the Persian Gulf.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.