Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Leaked Dossier Reveals Terror Threat Against Messi at World Cup
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a big football tournament held in the United States and Canada, police had to protect players from scary threats.
A leaked police report, published by a Spanish newspaper, showed that the most famous and most threatened player was Lionel Messi from Argentina.
One man called the airport in Dallas and said he and two other men were coming to the stadium with homemade bombs and a gun, mentioning Messi by name.
Another person wrote on social media that he wanted to blow up Messi with four bombs strapped to his body before a game in Atlanta.
Police searched the stadium with bomb experts and dogs after someone said three bombs were hidden in trash cans.
Portugal's star Cristiano Ronaldo was also bothered a lot, and police in Houston arrested a suspicious man near his hotel.
France's Kylian Mbappé received mean messages about his background, and a doll with his face was burned.
Some players got death threats just for making mistakes in games, and even a referee received more than six thousand angry messages.
In the end, security teams from the United States and other countries worked together with the FBI to try to keep everyone safe at the World Cup.
A leaked police dossier reported by Spanish newspaper Informacion.es documented bomb threats, stalking, and online abuse during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi the primary target of most threats.
Before Argentina's match against Jordan, a caller at Dallas airport claimed he and two others were heading to the stadium with 'homemade bombs and an AR-15,' targeting police and players from both teams, with special mention of Messi.
On July 7, before Argentina's match against Egypt in Atlanta, an X user threatened to 'blow up Messi with four bombs strapped to my body,' while another caller claimed three bombs were placed in stadium trash cans, prompting searches by explosives specialists and K-9 teams.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the most harassed player, with a man arrested by Houston police after seeking details about his accommodations, plus further incidents in Canada and Miami.
Kylian Mbappé faced xenophobic insults after an altercation with the Paraguayan goalkeeper, players including Alexander Sorloth, Jaminton Campaz, and Lucas Digne received death threats over match mistakes, and referee François Letexier received over 6,000 threatening WhatsApp messages.
- Who
- Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and other players, referees, and officials, with threats tracked by the FBI and the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC).
- What
- A leaked police dossier documented alleged bomb threats, stalking, and online abuse during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including an alleged plot to attack Messi with explosives.
- When
- During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with incidents reported from June 14 through July 7.
- Where
- Across World Cup host cities in the United States and Canada, including Dallas (Arlington), Atlanta, Houston, and Miami.
- Why
- Targets were singled out for their fame, match mistakes, and on-pitch incidents, with some insults described as xenophobic in motive.
- Tournament
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Primary target
- Lionel Messi, per a leaked police dossier
- Most harassed player
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Security coordination
- FBI and International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC)
- Key bomb threat
- Man called Dallas airport claiming 'homemade bombs and an AR-15' before Argentina vs Jordan
- Match-day threat
- Social media post about four bombs strapped to the body targeting Messi before Argentina vs Egypt on July 7 in Atlanta
- Referee targeted
- François Letexier received over 6,000 threatening WhatsApp messages, mostly from Egyptian nationals
- Reported by
- Spanish newspaper Informacion.es, citing a leaked police dossier
Sources
'Lionel Messi Bomb Threat': Chilling FIFA World Cup Terror Plot Revealed, Cristiano Ronaldo Also Targeted
'Homemade bombs and an AR-15:' How an American plotted to kill Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup
'Homemade bombs and AR-15': Leaked report reveals Messi faced alleged terror threat during 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi Targeted By Terrifying Bomb Threats During High-Stakes FIFA World Cup 2026; Claims Report
