Patel warns 'hoax threats' will not be tolerated at FIFA World Cup matches

FBI Director Kash Patel warned Americans on Monday that calling in a fake bomb threat or shooting will not be tolerated at FIFA World Cup matches taking place in the United States later this month.

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin next week and will feature matches in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The first match will take place in Mexico City on June 11. 

Patel said in a post on X that the FBI will be cracking down on hoax threats during the 39-day international soccer tournament, which will include 78 matches in the United States alone.

"One issue this FBI is taking incredibly seriously during the tournament is hoax threats," Patel said. "Hoax threats are federal crimes and for good reason - they sow panic, waste valuable law enforcement resources, and put innocent lives at risk.

"Hoax threats will not be tolerated," he continued. "The FBI and its partners will be rigorous and relentless in tracking down anyone who makes a fake threat at any event on any device during this historic tournament."

Patel reminded the public that the form in which a threat is made does not matter and urged Americans to report threats they hear or receive to the FBI through its online portal or at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.