With 11 host cities across the U.S., the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup requires intense coordination.
The global event began Thursday and runs through July 19. The Federal Communications Commission believes communications efforts are well positioned, thanks to what it described as a collaborative effort among multiple agencies.
In a release, Chairman Brendan Carr said that the agency’s experts spanning radio engineering, public safety and enforcement have partnered with federal, state and local officials to support the World Cup across the country.
“The FCC team has been working to support robust, resilient and secure communications networks across the host cities, including supporting the efforts of the private sector communications providers,” Carr said.
Those host cities and areas of New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Los Angeles, Kansas City, the San Francisco Bay Area, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami and Boston/Foxborough have all received support to conduct advance planning, testing and coordination, according to the commission.
Special efforts
In May, the FCC designated Louis Libin as special frequency coordinator and RF spectrum manager for the World Cup. He is the point of contact for coordinating Broadcast Auxiliary Services operations.
Those BAS stations, under Part 74 of the FCC rules, make it possible for radio and TV stations and networks to transmit program material between various locations.
FWC 2026, a subsidiary of Fédération Internationale de Football Association, anticipates that approximately 2,700 pieces of equipment, such as interruptible foldback systems for real-time communication, wireless intercoms and talkbacks for production crews and RF audio links for sound mixing and audio routing, will be used to support around 300 media agencies.
Spectrum sweep
As crowds connect to their devices, international sporting events naturally apply a great deal of stress to communications systems. The commission explained that this creates a congested environment where thousands of people are trying to receive and transmit information on wireless and broadcast networks.
Priority number one, the FCC said, is to ensure that radio spectrum requirements essential to the World Cup — including broadcast operations, public safety, event security and national security preparations — are supported.
For example, Libin told TV Tech that a large number of pairs and single 450 MHz and 455 MHz channels will be in use for the event, for both two-way communications and IFBs.
To identify harmful interference, the FCC has deployed what it described as a “networked constellation of advanced spectrum sensors” across U.S. venues to conduct remote monitoring.
STAs
The commission has also issued 10 special temporary authorizations to date for wireless devices and broadcast operations.
Libin told TV Tech that the STA process has been simplified for the event due to the involvement of the White House Task Force. He also cited cooperation from the North American Broadcasters Association.
[Related: “Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance Pushes for Spectrum Access”]
In addition, it granted waivers to allow low-power auxiliary operators to operate within protected contours within the designated event areas. Those LPAS devices operating below 941.5 MHz will not exceed 250 milliwatts, according to FWC 2026, and those in the 941.5–960 MHz band will not exceed one watt of conducted power.
Event security
In public safety, the FCC has been preparing for interference detection and response during matches and related events to help first responders and emergency communications systems operate without disruption.
It has also been working with federal partners and FIFA technology teams to support communications readiness and event security.
In the host state of New Jersey, for example, all State Police radio communications transitioned to full encryption on June 1.
The commission has also partnered with local authorities to support lawful counter-drone operations in accordance with the SAFER SKIES Act.
Area challenges
Both before and during the games, the FCC is working to prevent wireless interference by supporting communications network capacity to meet the localized demand.
“There’s definitely a difference between venues,” Libin said. “They’re all big challenges, but each one is unique.”
In Miami, for instance, where the topography is flat, signals can carry much further than in Seattle, where there is varying terrain. At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., meanwhile, transmitters from across the Hudson River in New York City are line of sight.
The commission is also working with industry partners to support high-capacity wireless and 5G connectivity in and around host venues.
The effort lays the foundation for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics and other future “mega-events” by strengthening national communications coordination frameworks, the FCC said.
