The FBI said it has opened an investigation into a security threat targeting Houston Stadium during Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup round of 16 victory over Japan.
The World Cup playoffs began on Monday after Canada eliminated South Africa the day before. However, Brazil’s game against Japan in Houston has raised serious security concerns, with the Houston FBI confirming they are looking into reports of a threat targeting Houston Stadium, home of the NFL’s Texans.
The bureau said the threat circulating online is not credible at this time, but it is continuing to monitor the situation. An official statement from the Houston FBI via The Mirror US read: “FBI Houston is aware of a threat to the Houston Stadium circulating online. We are working with our local, state and federal public safety partners to investigate who is behind the report.
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“The threat is not credible at this time. We continue to analyze and evaluate the situation. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement.”
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The announcement came as Houston played its sixth of seven scheduled World Cup games and Brazil faced Japan in the round of 16. The exact timing of the threat remains unclear, although authorities were alerted Monday morning. The Brazil-Japan game started at 12:00 local time.
FBI Houston spokesman Connor Hagan said the bureau was alerted to an online threat affecting numerous businesses and media outlets. The message mentioned Houston Stadium, and Hagan said investigators have determined the threat is not credible but are still working to determine its origin.
He noted that the FBI is taking steps to resolve the situation by checking the source of the message. Hagan noted that no further details are being released at this stage.
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The FBI will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation as the investigation continues. Authorities also urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious behavior or people to law enforcement.
The highly anticipated game between Brazil and Japan apparently drew a nearly sold-out crowd of about 69,000 in Houston.
The FBI continues to be a national focus throughout this summer’s World Cup. In Philadelphia, the agency has established “no-drone zones” over Lincoln Financial Field, with substantial fines of up to $100,000 for anyone violating the restricted airspace.
In December, FEMA announced a $250 million grant to the 11 states that will host the World Cup to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that all 11 World Cup venues, including Houston, have been equipped with anti-drone systems, and responsibility for stadium security is shared by multiple federal agencies.