Written by:
Dan Arnold
Senior Vice President of National Operations, Protos Security
Dan Arnold joined Protos in 2021 and serves as the Senior Vice President of National Operations. His industry experience includes 20+ years in the security industry. He spent 10 years with a global security company as an Area Vice President and has six years of experience in the retail security industry working for a national retail chain.
Behind the matches is a multi-agency operation focused on flow, communication and keeping millions of fans moving safely.
Key Highlights:
- World Cup 2026 will rely on coordination across law enforcement, venues, transportation and private security operating as one system
- Most risks emerge in high-traffic transition points, making crowd flow, communication and timing critical
- Fans can improve their experience with simple steps: plan ahead, follow official guidance and stay aware in crowded environments
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has already started in my house. Growing up in a small town in Nebraska in the early 1990s, I wouldn’t have guessed soccer would become part of our routine. That changed years ago watching my first World Cup match with the U.S. team. What drew me in was the pace, the structure and the way teams operate as a system, not just a collection of players.
Now, with three kids playing club and travel soccer, most weekends revolve around fields and tournaments.
At the same time, I’ve spent my career in security operations. So, when I look at an event like the World Cup, I see both sides — the fan experience on the surface, and the operating system behind it.
The work starts long before kickoff
The World Cup is not just a sporting event. It’s one of the most complex, multi-agency operations in the world.
Matches will be played across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with millions of fans moving between cities, stadiums and public spaces over the course of several weeks. Planning for that does not begin months in advance. It begins years ahead.
