Ryan Raybould, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, talks during a press conference to discuss a law enforcement initiative leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Dallas, on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News
Federal authorities are ramping up arrests and prosecutions across North Texas ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, officials said, in an effort focused on curbing violent crime, drug dealing, and human trafficking before a surge of soccer fans arrives.
The initiative, called Operation Red Card, was outlined at a Thursday news conference that brought together the region’s top federal prosecutors and investigative agencies and the police chiefs of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington.
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Ryan Raybould, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas, cast the show of force as a warning to anyone who might try to take advantage of the World Cup crowds: Crimes that may ordinarily be handled locally could bring federal charges with stiffer penalties.
“Whether you’re living in Dallas or the surrounding area, or considering traveling to North Texas because you think this will be a target‑rich environment to commit crimes, please, think again,” Raybould said during the news conference at the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse in downtown Dallas.
The announcement comes as North Texas prepares to host nine matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, including a semifinal. Dallas will host the official FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park and serve as home to the tournament’s International Broadcast Center and Tournament Operations Center at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
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The operation started March 14 and will run through June 14, the date of the first game. It is concentrated, Raybould said, on areas expected to be affected by the World Cup, including Arlington and communities hosting teams and their fans.
Since March 14, more than 130 people have been charged in federal cases involving human trafficking, drug trafficking, kidnapping and other violent crimes, Raybould said. Authorities also seized more than 100 kilograms of controlled substances and dozens of firearms.
Dallas police Chief Daniel Comeaux said authorities would place particular emphasis on illegal firearm possession. The chief said he had been pressing Raybould’s office to pursue federal gun charges in those cases.
“And so far, they have been keeping up,” Comeaux said. “So if you’re walking around carrying a gun in Dallas, and you shouldn’t be carrying a gun in Dallas, I will use the federal hammer to keep you in jail.”
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Dallas police Chief Daniel Comeaux wears a badge with the FIFA World Cup 2026 logo during an interview with The Dallas Morning News in his office at Jack Evans Police Headquarters on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Authorities also highlighted strict restrictions around drone usage during the World Cup, with Arlington Police Chief Al Jones saying they would use technology to detect, monitor and mitigate drones in restricted areas.
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In April, Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold $32.1 million in public safety funding over the police department’s immigration enforcement rules, and his office said an additional $51.5 million in federal funding tied to FIFA preparations could also be at risk.
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In response, Dallas officials revised the department’s rules to make clear that officers may — but are not required to — ask people who are lawfully detained or arrested about their immigration status, cooperate with federal immigration authorities and share immigration-status information with them.
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An Abbott spokesperson, Andrew Mahaleris, said the department’s changes were in compliance. “The funding hold is now lifted, and the Governor expects full contract compliance moving forward,” he said in a message Thursday.
Comeaux said finances were not an issue.
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“We’re good on funding, we’re going to be able to keep everyone safe,” he said. “We’re going to be able to do our jobs and we’re also going to be able to work overtime.”