FIFA World Cup Plot Uncovered: Threats Against Messi Involve Four Explosive Devices, Dossier Indicates

During the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Argentine captain Lionel Messi was identified as a primary target in a series of alarming security threats. A police report revealed that various incidents were monitored throughout the tournament, highlighting threats directed at players, officials, and their families, with Messi facing some of the most explicit dangers.

One particularly disturbing threat involved a caller who informed authorities of plans to travel to the Dallas stadium armed with homemade explosives and an AR-15 rifle. This individual specifically mentioned Messi as a target, alongside police officers and players from both competing teams. Another threat emerged in connection with Argentina's match against Egypt on July 7, where a post on X claimed that the author intended to enter Atlanta Stadium with four bombs, explicitly stating, “I’m going to walk into the Atlanta stadium and blow up Messi with four bombs stuck in my body.” In response to these threats, security teams at the Atlanta venue mobilized, deploying explosives specialists and K-9 units to conduct thorough searches after another caller reported that three bombs had been placed in garbage bins at the stadium.

The security operation for the World Cup was extensive, coordinated by a collaborative network led by the FBI and the International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC). This initiative focused on monitoring terror-related alerts, stalking incidents, and threats of violence against players and their families. While Messi was a significant focus of these threats, he was not the only high-profile football figure under scrutiny. Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo also faced multiple incidents where individuals attempted to gather information about his location and accommodations.

On June 14, a FIFA employee alerted law enforcement after observing a man seeking details about Ronaldo's hotel stay. This led to the arrest of an individual at the hotel where Ronaldo and the Portuguese team were lodged. Additionally, in Toronto, another man was detained for attempting to enter an elevator with Ronaldo, claiming he merely wanted a selfie with the star. French referee François Letexier was also targeted, receiving over 6,000 threatening messages via WhatsApp during the tournament. These incidents underscored the heightened security measures in place to protect some of the most recognized figures in football.