A former FBI agent and Navy SEAL, Jonathan Gilliam, has publicly warned that Iranian sleeper cells could pose a threat to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, urging President Trump to send a strong warning to Iran ahead of the event [1]. Gilliam suggested that Trump should make it clear that any Iranian action during the World Cup would result in severe consequences, including the end of diplomatic talks and potential military retaliation [1]. He proposed that the president could demonstrate seriousness by dropping a MOAB (the largest non-nuclear conventional bomb) in an unpopulated area of Iran as a show of force, emphasizing that Iran responds to displays of strength rather than diplomacy [1].
Gilliam stated that sleeper cells are already present in the United States, and while the probability of an attack is uncertain, the risk has always existed for major events like the World Cup [1]. He noted, "The probability may vary, so the numbers game, is it 100% guaranteed, is it 50% guaranteed? That's always a game that you really don't want to play," highlighting the persistent concern over such threats [1].
The warning comes amid deteriorating negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, with President Trump recently calling Iran's response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" [1]. Trump has also attributed the presence of sleeper cells in the U.S. to former President Biden's border policies, stating, "a lot of people came in through Biden with his stupid open border," but assured that authorities are monitoring these individuals [1].
In response to security concerns, $625 million has been allocated by Congress and signed by Trump to support law enforcement agencies with overtime costs for World Cup security, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent nearly $900 million in total toward securing the event [1].
CONCLUSION
The warning from a former FBI agent underscores heightened security concerns surrounding the World Cup, particularly regarding potential threats from Iranian sleeper cells. Substantial federal funding has been directed toward securing the event, and the situation is further complicated by strained U.S.-Iran relations. Market sentiment is cautious, reflecting the seriousness of the security risks and the potential for geopolitical escalation.