Two violent incidents have left nine people injured in the US World Cup host city, raising concerns about the safety of fans attending the tournament, which begins in three days.
Six people were injured Sunday at Penn Station in New York City, the city’s mayor announced, as the metropolitan area prepares to host two major sporting events: the NBA Finals and the FIFA World Cup.
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Meanwhile, nine people were left with non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday.
The New York City Fire Department said one suspect was in custody and the victims, including one with serious injuries, were taken to the hospital.
Fire officials initially reported five people injured, but Mayor Zoran Mamdani told X: “Based on the information available at this time, six people were stabbed and the alleged perpetrator is in custody.”
The circumstances of the attack were not immediately clear, but City Auditor Mark Levin told X that the suspect was “described as mentally unstable and homeless.”
All victims are expected to survive, he added.
Governor Kathy Hochul described the attack as a “horrific act of violence.”
“New Yorkers deserve to feel safe wherever they go, and we will never stop working to make that happen,” she said in a statement.
The incident occurred at one of the country’s busiest rail and subway transit centers as the city prepares for two huge sporting events.
Madison Square Garden, located directly above Penn Station in downtown Manhattan, will host Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Monday and Wednesday.
MetLife Stadium, just outside the neighboring New Jersey city, will host the first World Cup match on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump plans to attend an NBA game at Madison Square Garden on Monday, saying he recently accepted an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan.
Security has been stepped up in the city ahead of the two events.
New York City’s official emergency alert system did not list the incident, but said people should avoid the area and “expect traffic delays, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and the presence of emergency personnel near Penn Station.”
Before the stabbing, New York City officials had already canceled a watch party outside the gardens scheduled for Monday.
Thousands of spectators gathered on the streets outside the venue on Friday for a match party. New York authorities announced that 26 people were arrested after a large crowd of fans turned violent, assaulting police officers.
Meanwhile, Kansas City police said there were no suspects in custody and at least three of the shooting victims were taken to local hospitals.
The incident occurred about 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from Swope Soccer Village, where England were scheduled to train. England have not yet arrived in Kansas City and are scheduled to play a friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.
What safety measures did the United States take for the World Cup?
The 48-team, 104-game World Cup poses unprecedented security challenges for the host nation, especially the United States, which will host 78 games in 11 cities.
A vast security apparatus is overseen by numerous federal agencies, state and local police departments, and private organizations. Their responsibilities range from securing stadiums and fan zones to guarding teams and protecting VIPs.
Their tools include hunter drones that can shoot nets over objects in restricted airspace, robotic baggage screening dogs, giant X-ray trucks, and thousands of AI-powered cameras trained in public spaces that will soon be flooded with fans.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Amit Katia-Patel said drones are prohibited from being used over stadiums or fan zones, and the FBI has a “range of options” to thwart them.
On game day, the FBI will operate a joint operations center in each host city, bringing together local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to monitor and investigate threats.
The tournament has the same high-level federal security designation as the Super Bowl, which ranks just below presidential inaugurations and national political conventions, ensuring federal, state and local coordination. It coincides with other major events related to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
So far, there is no credible threat, said Andrew Giuliani, executive director of President Trump’s World Cup task force, which is overseeing the multi-agency effort.
The Department of Homeland Security, hit by a funding fiasco that was only recently resolved with a focus on President Trump’s immigration crackdown, estimates that up to 7 million people will visit the United States for the World Cup.
The U.S. Secret Service has been under intense scrutiny following security breaches and an attempt on President Trump’s life, and is charged with protecting world leaders who show up to support their country. President Trump has expressed interest in watching the game.
Gun violence is common in the United States, with more than 400 mass shootings in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
