How robot dogs will assist police in crowd control at 2026 FIFA World Cup

NEW DELHI: Mexican authorities have announced that robot dogs will be deployed to assist police operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as part of enhanced security measures for the tournament.The four-legged robotic units are built to venture into high-risk zones and relay live video footage to law enforcement teams, allowing officers to assess situations remotely before moving in during World Cup-related operations.

The month-long global event, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, will be jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.The robot dogs were purchased by the Guadalupe city council — located in the Monterrey metropolitan region, one of the World Cup host areas — at a cost of 2.5 million pesos (approximately $145,000).

Monterrey is set to stage matches at BBVA Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed Estadio Monterrey for the tournament.Footage released by local authorities shows one of the robots navigating an abandoned structure, walking up staircases with measured precision while transmitting real-time visuals back to police officers following at a distance.During the demonstration, the robotic canine confronts an armed individual and uses a built-in loudspeaker to instruct him to drop his weapon, showcasing its role in frontline assessment and de-escalation.

Guadalupe mayor Hector Garcia said the robots are intended to assist officers during initial interventions, reducing direct exposure to potential threats. “The objective is to protect the physical integrity of our police,” he said, adding that the machines will be deployed whenever disturbances or confrontations arise.Estadio Monterrey is scheduled to host four World Cup matches during the tournament.