2026 World Cup: How Digital Security Became a Priority in Major Events

Guest post by VimalRaj Sampathkumar, Technical Head – UK & Ireland, ManageEngine

The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence and the rapid growth of digital infrastructure are raising concerns about cyberattacks targeting businesses, event organisers, and fans.

The 2026 World Cup is already expected to attract millions of tourists, generate billions of dollars in revenue, and rely on a complex digital ecosystem involving ticket sales, hotel reservations, payment systems, broadcasts, and service applications. This level of activity creates an increasingly complex challenge, with cyber risks growing alongside major global events, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to evolve.

The advancement of AI has made cyberattacks faster, more personalised, and harder to detect. Compared to the last World Cup in 2022, cybercriminals now have access to far more sophisticated tools that can automate scams, create highly convincing phishing campaigns, and exploit vulnerabilities at scale.

The threat is far from theoretical. During the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, according to French government data, 548 cybersecurity incidents were recorded between May and September 2024, of which 83 were confirmed.

Furthermore, around 25% of the downtime recorded during that period was caused by DDoS attacks, a method in which cybercriminals overwhelm ticketing services, streaming platforms, and official websites to extort money from organisers.

The World Cup presents an even more challenging scenario. Alongside the increased use of digital platforms by fans and businesses, the rise of generative AI has enabled more sophisticated scams, including fake ticketing websites, pirated broadcasts, fraudulent promotions, and highly personalised messages that closely mimic legitimate communications from brands, sponsors, and event organisers.

The impact extends far beyond the host nations. Although the tournament will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the risks affect businesses and consumers worldwide. According to IBSEC (Brazilian Institute of Cybersecurity), 72% of phishing attacks in Brazil occur during major sporting events, such as World Cups, international tournaments, and national championship finals.

Cybercriminals frequently exploit periods of heightened public attention. Scams involving ticket sales, travel promotions, live streams, and even loyalty programmes are increasingly common. In many cases, the objective is to steal credentials, gain access to bank accounts, or collect personal data for future fraud. Fans travelling to the tournament are particularly vulnerable, much like any tourist or visitor. For this reason, it is important to remain vigilant, including being cautious about which Wi-Fi networks you connect to.

Beyond the impact on consumers, cyberattacks can cause significant financial and reputational damage to organisations in sectors such as tourism, entertainment, retail, media, and financial services, particularly those operating digital platforms that experience high traffic volumes during the tournament. However, businesses can take several preventive measures to strengthen security during the World Cup and similar large-scale events.

Three effective measures Irish organisations can take to strengthen security during the World Cup:

Conduct incident simulations

Companies and IT teams should test their incident response processes in advance to ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to a range of potential threats. This helps maintain agility and reduces the risk of service disruptions or data breaches during periods of peak demand.

Adopt a Zero Trust strategy

This approach requires continuous authentication of users, APIs, and devices before granting access to systems. The principle of “never trust, always verify” becomes particularly important during major events, helping to reduce the risks of data breaches, cyberattacks, and ransomware incidents.

Invest in real-time monitoring

Monitoring networks, applications, and digital environments in real time enables organisations to identify suspicious behaviour and malicious activity before they cause downtime or compromise critical operations.

The World Cup offers businesses a unique opportunity to engage with millions of consumers while significantly increasing their digital exposure.

Just as players must work together on the pitch, IT teams need to operate as a coordinated unit, strengthening their defences and preventing hackers from “scoring a goal” by breaching systems and causing disruption. Preparation, monitoring, and rapid response will be essential to avoiding financial losses, operational disruption, and reputational damage.

About VimalRaj Sampathkumar:

VimalRaj Sampathkumar is the Technical Head of ManageEngine for the UK and Ireland. With over a decade of experience in technical sales, account management and customer success, he has a deep understanding of the implementation of enterprise IT management solutions globally. His core focus is to drive revenue and market share increase by consistently delivering customer-focused solutions, demonstrating product value, and building the foundation for loyal, long-term customer relationships.

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