DHS Secretary Highlights Counterfeit Ticket Issues Ahead of World Cup
WASHINGTON – Markwayne Mullin, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, spoke with Breitbart News and identified “counterfeit tickets” as the most pressing concern for federal officials tasked with securing events for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
“This issue goes hand in hand with a lot of counterfeit goods,” Mullin remarked. “People often don’t realize it, but counterfeit tickets are a significant problem. It’s possibly the biggest challenge we face right now. We have seen instances where a barcode might let someone into a Fan Fest but not the stadium itself. Many individuals are spending a lot of money on these tickets, thinking they are legitimate, only to find out they aren’t genuine. This counterfeiting issue is something that ICE is addressing and has been a focus for HSI.”
As he marked his 100th day in office, Mullin sat down for a nearly 30-minute interview with Breitbart at DHS headquarters in Washington. He took over from a predecessor who had been reappointed to focus on Latin American matters. Mullin’s confirmation process went smoothly, benefiting from bipartisan support, including endorsements from Democratic Senators John Fetterman and Martin Heinrich. His approval came just days before a major DHS event: the arrival of the World Cup. The interview touched on security operations for the World Cup, with future discussions planned around immigration and border security measures.
When discussing World Cup security, Mullin complimented Andrew Giuliani, who previously led a special committee at DHS, while noting that efforts were somewhat behind schedule due to a government shutdown caused by Congressional Democrats. Mullin emphasized that preparing for the World Cup felt like organizing multiple Super Bowl-level events in a very tight timeframe, while also collaborating with Mexico for on-the-ground operations. He acknowledged the importance of state and local law enforcement across all 11 host cities and expressed hope that current cooperation might pave the way for better relationships on immigration enforcement in the future.
Mullin mentioned, “Andrew Giuliani’s task force performed excellently, but we found ourselves needing to catch up when we took over. The shutdowns, including a 115-day pause for ICE and CBP, were certainly a challenge, given our agreements with local law enforcement for support at 11 stadiums.” He noted that 76 days passed during the overall DHS shutdown. “We have millions of fans expected in Monterrey and Mexico City, and we need to ensure their safety and enjoyment,” he added, highlighting the logistical challenges of setting up practice fields and base camps for each team.
In addition to the counterfeit ticket issue, Mullin remarked on the ongoing largest anti-drone operation in U.S. history, aimed at preventing drone-related hazards at venues. “We’ve developed the largest anti-UAS operation in the country, which has been a significant undertaking,” he stated. He credited the cooperation across various states, including California and Texas, in ensuring the games’ security, despite some locations being sanctuary cities. “We have had a successful partnership, and thankfully, these past two weeks have gone smoothly with fans enjoying themselves at the games,” he noted.
Mullin also added that DHS is coordinating closely with the Department of State on immigration screenings for the millions of fans and thousands of players expected. “No other agency could handle this better than DHS, with its 22 components working together,” he pointed out, highlighting the roles of CIS, the Federal Protective Service, and Customs and Border Protection.
Furthermore, he expressed concerns beyond counterfeit tickets, mentioning a growing counterfeit market for FIFA and Puma merchandise and the associated criminal activities that often accompany large gatherings. “People tend to overlook the scale of counterfeit goods, and the issue extends to drugs that follow big crowds as well,” Mullin explained. He noted the importance of strong partnerships with local and state police to combat these problems effectively.
More updates regarding Mullin’s interview with Breitbart News will be released soon.
