EMD involved in World Cup planning efforts

Washington state is about to become the epicenter of the sport of soccer, as the city of Seattle and surrounding communities prepare to host and support two of the biggest events in the sport – the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the  groundbreaking 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Behind the scenes, the Washington Emergency Management Division (EMD) is already gearing up for the logistical and security challenges of these two large-scale events.

“The coordination for something of this scale starts years in advance,” said Robert Ezelle, director of EMD. “You have to prepare for every scenario, so it’s a heavy lift for emergency managers and first responders. It’s already all hands on deck.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first tournament jointly hosted by three countries (United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the first to feature an expanded format of 48 teams competing in 104 matches over 39 days in June and July. Organizers expect as many as 750,000 visitors to the Pacific Northwest, more people than the current population of Seattle.

“The World Cup is one of those major sporting events that has the power to bring people together. Effective preparedness requires an all-hazards approach,” said John Diaz, Seattle’s chief of security for 2026 World Cup. “That includes close coordination and planning with our state, local, tribal, and federal partners to address potential risks from every angle.”

Seattle’s Lumen Field will host six games during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, including matches featuring the Seattle Sounders FC, providing an opportunity for multiple agencies and organizations to test their readiness before the larger 2026 World Cup. With large crowds, heightened media attention, and extensive logistical challenges and emergency management demands, EMD is already working with partners at every level to ensure the safety and success of these global events.

“The tournaments will bring unique challenges that our state doesn’t often need to address,” said Casey Broom, EMD’s preparedness section manager. “We’re currently building a unified, scalable approach to address everything from security threats to transportation challenges, to public health emergencies. Anything is possible when we have that many people visiting our state at a single time – and we need to be prepared for it all.”

In addition to planning with local and federal partners, as well as other World Cup host cities, EMD has been hosting training and exercises since mid-2024. These range from tabletop exercises focused on mass casualty incidents to real-world simulations of large-scale event security.

“Every detail matters and we’re working tirelessly with our partners to ensure these massive events go off without a hitch,” said Ezelle. “We’re proud to partner with our emergency management colleagues to help showcase the Pacific Northwest and be ready to deliver a safe experience for everyone involved.”

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