Di 2026 World Cup wey Spain win no only get football drama, e also get plenty security wahala. According to Marca, na Lionel Messi be di footballer wey get di highest level of death threats during di tournament. Di Spanish sports newspaper say dem see one big police report from America wey list all di tins wey FBI and IPCC handle for di tournament.
One of di tins wey di report reveal na say one man call and threaten say im and two other people go storm di stadium during di group stage match between Jordan and Argentina. Di man talk say dem carry homemade bombs and one AR-15 rifle. For dat call, e name Messi as di target. Di intention na to kill di Argentine superstar.
Before di match between Argentina and Egypt, security people see worrying messages online. One suspect write say, “I am going into the Atlanta Stadium and blowing Messi up with four bombs strapped to my body.” Dem carry di matter serious. For dat same match, officials search di stadium with sniffer dogs. Dem check di bins wey dem suspect say bomb dey inside. At di end, e show say na false alarm.
E no stop for Messi only. Cristiano Ronaldo get im own share of threat too. Marca report say several people arrest for threatening Ronaldo. One particular man dey press for details about where Ronaldo dey. FBI alert come, dem arrest di man. Two days later, police for Houston still track am down and arrest am again at di hotel where di Portugal team dey stay.
Another incident happen for Toronto. One person try to enter lift with Ronaldo. When dem stop am, e claim say im only want to take selfie with im. Dem still arrest am for dat one.
E no be only players wey dey dia. Di referees for di World Cup also receive plenty death threats. French ref François Letexier, wey referee di match between Argentina and Egypt, get over 6,000 hate messages afta di match. Because of dis, authorities give im home and family for France extra protection.
Di leaked police dossier also show say players and police officers na potential targets. US authorities and international agencies investigate di matters as part of wider security operation.