World Cup Security: Keep Your Eye on the Ball

World Cup Security: Keep Your Eye on the Ball

June 1, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

This episode discusses security challenges and fraud risks associated with the FIFA World Cup, featuring insights from experts in the field.

Little can prepare security teams for the sheer noise, pyrotechnics, national pride, and fan enthusiasm around FIFA World Cup events, but in this episode of Security Management Highlights, we’ll give it a shot. First, Anton Kalaydjian shares how his experience on close protection details for celebrities and VIPs at World Cup events translated to a broader career in soccer security. Then, Efrén Vera Torres, CPP, explains how fraudsters take advantage of the World Cup and what that means for banking and finance institutions. And finally, Mason Wilder, CFE, research director for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) shares some of the findings from the association’s latest occupational fraud report—not strictly about soccer, but a good reminder not to take your eye off the ball for insider threats. This episode is sponsored by public safety and security company SoundThinking. Gilbert Farrulla, director of customer success at SoundThinking, joins this episode to talk about growing tensions in security checkpoints. Additional Resources Learn more about this episode’s sponsor, SoundThinking, here: https://www.soundthinking.com/ Read more about World Cup security in…

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