Messi targeted in alleged 2026 World Cup terror threat, US documents reveal

Lionel Messi was reportedly the target of a terrorist threat during the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, according to documents released by American police. The alleged plot involved a man who threatened to attack the stadium where Argentina was scheduled to play, with the Argentinian star specifically named.

The incident reportedly occurred before a match between Argentina and Jordan. Spanish publication informacion.es reported that a man contacted Dallas airport authorities, claiming he and two others intended to infiltrate the stadium and carry out an attack. This information was detailed in reports from the IPCC, a structure coordinated by the FBI, which included participation from Spanish National Police and the Civil Guard.

During the call, the individual allegedly threatened the use of homemade bombs and an AR-15 rifle. The targets were said to include police officers and players from both teams, with Lionel Messi's name explicitly mentioned by the threat's author. The reports fueled reactions, with sport.ua stating, "They wanted to kill Messi!"

These threats prompted U.S. authorities to intensify security checks around stadiums hosting World Cup matches. The heightened security measures were particularly focused given the information that emerged prior to certain games. The report also noted that other prominent football figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, along with French referee François Letexier, allegedly faced serious harassment situations during the tournament. In one instance, a suspect reportedly inquired about Ronaldo's accommodation, and another individual allegedly entered the hotel where the Portuguese star was staying, attempting to use the same elevator.

Fortunately, these incidents did not escalate into actual attacks, and the World Cup concluded without any significant security events of this nature. The reports highlight the constant vigilance required to secure major international sporting events.