Doing our part to protect the beautiful game at Qatar 2022

Europol has deployed specialists from its Operational and Analysis Centre to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as part of an international coalition of law enforcement at the World Cup’s International Police Cooperation Centre (IPCC). A total of 5 staff were deployed to Qatar as of 16 November, and have been participating in the work of the IPCC in strengthening international law enforcement cooperation and information exchange, towards a safe and secure tournament for both participants and attendants.

The goal for law enforcement at the World Cup

Europol’s crime centres are monitoring for potential threats stemming from the World Cup, so as to support local authorities responsible for the safety of fans and the wider tournament. As a result of open source and intelligence monitoring, Europol has detected and advised on threats including the following:

• potential threat to safety of match attendees,
• cyber threats,
• phishing campaigns relating to tickets and counterfeit products,
• extremist propaganda.

Europol’s Operational & Analysis Centre has been working closely with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Safety & Security Operations Committee for more than one year, in order to prepare a tailored support package, including:

• on the spot deployments, 
• back office support from Europol’s 24/7 Operational Centre, 
• a support network consisting of nominated Points of Contact from all the Centres of the Operations Department,
• support from Europol’s international network of Liaison Bureaus.

Closing the net on organised crime

Large sporting events can attract organised crime groups as they attract vast numbers of spectators and a lot of economic activity. Organised crime groups are highly adaptable, and can be quick to find and exploit opportunities for illicit profits. Speaking about Europol’s approach to supporting international sporting events, Julia Viedma, Head of Europol’s Operational & Analysis Centre, remarked:

International sporting events are some of the largest public gatherings in the world. Law enforcement’s role should be protecting the fans, the organisers and the participants themselves, so they can get on with enjoying the tournament in safety. We are grateful to our partners in Qatar and the IPCC in Doha for providing an excellent platform for law enforcement cooperation.

With hundreds of thousands of fans in Doha, Europol will participate in the IPCC for the entire duration of the tournament and remain vigilant for threats in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup.