Robot canines to protect World Cup as police deploy android mutts to maintain followers in test
The 2026 World Cup will break technological norms after it was confirmed that police will deploy robot dogs to help enforce the law among spectators
Robot dogs will help police forces in Mexico safeguard matches during the 2026 World Cup(Image: Municipality of Guadalupe/AFP vi)
Football fans attending the 2026 World Cup will need to be on their best behaviour as security measures sharpen up ahead of this summer’s tournament.
And particularly in Mexico, after the Municipality of Guadalupe unveiled a line of robot dogs that will be rolled out to assist officers during the tournament. Authorities in Nuevo Leon will be aided by the watchful eyes of man’s best friend.
These four-legged machines, named the K9-X division, will use camera lenses to assess risks before entering potentially dangerous situations. The pre-programmed pooches will serve as a first line of defence, giving officers a preview of any hazards that could emerge amid the World Cup commotion.
Hector Garcia, the mayor of Guadalupe, proudly unveiled four samples of the canine creations in front of officers, town officials and Secretary of Public Security, Alfredo Fabela. And he made a bold statement regarding their remit as he said: “This is the police force that will protect the World Cup!
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“On the ground, these K9-X robot dogs will support the police with a first response, with video, and finally enter risky sites. In other words, before the police enter and to protect the physical integrity of the officers, the robots will intervene in the event of a fight or if someone is intoxicated. We have good police officers and cutting-edge technology for the safety of the people of Guadalupe.”
It’s understood that the four mechanical mutts cost local authorities around £105,000, so roughly £26,000 apiece. And many among us thought conventional dog breeding was an expensive trade.
Monterrey, the capital of Nuevo Leon, will host four World Cup fixtures in total. Tunisia will play twice at the Estadio BBVA: first against the UEFA Path B winner (one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania) on June 14, and then against Japan on June 20.
South Africa will also play at Monterrey’s home on June 24. The ground’s fourth and final host fixture will be a round-of-32 game between the winner of Group F (where the Netherlands are favourites) and the Group C runner-up (one of Brazil, Scotland, Morocco or Haiti).
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A statement released by the Municipality of Guadalupe read: “Guadalupe is a pioneer in including this new security system, which features video cameras, night vision lenses, voice commands and warnings, and is made of resistant material that can enter rough terrain.”
In addition to the high-tech hounds, Guadalupe has also increased its regular police activity to keep the public safe throughout the World Cup. This includes 100 new patrols and beefed-up security measures using flying drones.
Per Garcia’s announcement, the quadrupedal constructions don’t appear to have any weaponised capability. However, they do come fully equipped with night vision, meaning any ne’er-do-wells hoping to operate in the dark will not be safe.
Mexico will co-host the World Cup alongside Canada and the United States, with more than five million overseas visitors expected to attend. The Department of Homeland Security announced in January that it plans to invest around £84m in counter-drone technologies to limit the impact of any aerial threats during the competition.
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