Fighter jets will patrol World Cup venues in Vancouver and Toronto

Fighter jets will patrol the skies above Vancouver and Toronto during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to help protect match venues and fan festival areas, according to NORAD and Canadian military officials. The security plan includes nofly zones over FIFA sites, restrictions on planes and drones, and increased air monitoring by Canadian and U.S. personnel. Officials said the goal is to detect and respond quickly to any aircraft that enters restricted airspace with harmful intent. As part of the preparation, Canadian fighter jets will take part in an interception exercise over Toronto in June, and the military has added temporary radar coverage in Grimsby, Ontario, to improve tracking near the Greater Toronto Area. RCMP say drones are banned near stadiums and event sites and may be enforced against if necessary. NORAD officials said the air patrols are part of a broader security effort for the tournament, which will be hosted across multiple cities in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico over two months.