On June 29, 2026, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) published a new report about ISIS-linked outlets inciting lone wolf attacks on FIFA World Cup events in the U.S.
Media outlets linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) have been amplifying and widely disseminating the recent official call for attacks targeting the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The ISIS call was issued on June 18, 2026, in the organization’s weekly publication, Al-Naba’, in an editorial which explicitly encouraged “lone mujahideen” to carry out violent attacks, particularly in U.S. host cities.
The editorial, titled, “Who Will Be Crowned the Title?” described the soccer World Cup as a “feast of filth” and a “deadly weapon” in the hands of “Crusaders” and Jews, aimed at undermining Muslim faith and morals. It called the events a “golden opportunity” for would-be lone actors to carry out “heroic” acts.
“The World Is Watching… Slay Them Wherever You Find Them”
On June 28, 2026, the pro-ISIS Al-Battar Foundation released a poster in Arabic, citing excerpts from the Al-Naba’ editorial “Who Will Be Crowned the Title?” It incited attacks targeting the most-watched tournament on the planet, depicting a soccer stadium along with text that reads: “2026 – The World Is Watching,” adding the Quranic verse: “And slay them wherever you find them.”
“Seize The Opportunity”
On the same day, June 28, the pro-ISIS Al-Murhafat media foundation published a poster titled “Seize the Opportunity.” It read: “These days, the Crusaders are staging the ‘Cup of Scum’ in the very heart of Crusader America and its allies. The world and the media are in a state of high alert, driven by a frenzied campaign to cover this event.”
Read more from the MEMRI JTTM project here.
