The threat of drone attacks are on the mind of security personnel at large scale sporting events around the world. As the month-long 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Doha, Qatar, French Interior Foreign Minister Geral Darmanin told Agence France Presse (AFP) that “Drones are the main terrorist threat of today and tomorrow.”

Darmanin further explained the hazard of “a drone loaded with explosives that falls on a crowd, on an exposed team, or an opening Ceremony like at the Olympic Games, for example.”

The French Interior Foreign Minister commented from Doha and stated that 225 French security personnel were in Qatar to assist local authorities to keep an estimated 20,000 French football fans safe.

The involvement in the 2022 FIFA World Cup by the French Government will help shape the security posture for future large-scale sporting events scheduled to be held in France.  In 2023, France is scheduled to host 20 nations at the World Rugby Cup.  In 2024, France is hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.

It is estimated that 600,000 spectators will be on the banks of the Seine River for the opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics.  The large crowds will be a security challenge for French officials who have experienced a series of terror attacks in recent years.

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