US warns Americans of terrorism threat at World Cup in Russia

The US State Department warned Americans on Friday that terrorists may target World Cup venues in Russia, which is hosting the month-long soccer tournament, but it did not point to any specific threat.

"Large-scale international events such as the World Cup present an attractive target for terrorists," the department said in a travel advisory.

"Although security for the World Cup will be extensive, terrorists may seek to attack event locations such as stadiums and Fan Fest viewing areas, tourist sites, transportation hubs, and other public venues," it said.

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As with previous advisories, the State Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Russia in general due to the threat of terrorism, and because of possible harassment and extortion from law enforcement and other officials.

As per reports, Jihadis had state that fans may face a “massacre that has never been seen in history before” at the World Cup. Cyber security firm Sixgill – which monitors ISIS activity on the dark web and in encrypted apps – revealed the latest threat to Daily Star Online.

ISIS’s most shocking image features a terrorist standing in a stadium looking over a football pitch. The fighter is wearing camouflage, wearing a hood, cradling a submachine, and carrying an assault rifle.

Meanwhile, sitting at their computers, staff are studying CCTV images from more than 700 security cameras. Another 1,200 cameras have been installed at Kaliningrad Stadium.

With the latest face-recognition technology, individuals are checked automatically in a police database within seconds of being caught on camera. Similar security systems are in operation in the other World Cup host cities.