New Delhi: Robot dogs will be deployed to assist police operations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mexican authorities have announced as part of measures to tighten security at the event.These four-legged robotic units are designed to venture into high-risk areas and forward live video footage to law enforcement teams, allowing officials to remotely assess situations during World Cup-related operations.
The month-long global event is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.The robot dogs were purchased by the Guadalupe City Council, located in the Monterrey metropolitan area, one of the World Cup host areas, at a cost of 2.5 million pesos (approximately $145,000). Monterrey will play the game at the BBVA Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed Estadio Monterrey during the tournament.Video released by local authorities showed one of the robots navigating an abandoned building, ascending stairs with precision while transmitting live images to police officers following from a distance.During the demonstration, the robot dog faced an armed man and used a built-in speaker to instruct him to drop his weapon, demonstrating its role in frontline assessment and de-escalation.Guadalupe Mayor Hector Garcia said the purpose of the robots is to assist police during initial intervention and reduce direct exposure to potential threats. “The goal is to protect the physical safety of our officers,” he said, adding that the machines would be deployed whenever there was a disturbance or confrontation.Monterrey Stadium is scheduled to host four World Cup matches during the tournament.
