2026 FIFA World Cup Security Detail - Arapahoe County Mounted Patrol

Deputies from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Mounted Patrol Unit will travel to Kansas City, Missouri, on June 9 to assist with security and crowd control during the 2026 FIFA World Cup International Men’s Soccer Tournament. The team will join a multi-agency mounted unit task force made up of law enforcement officers from Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, and Colorado. The ACSO Mounted Patrol Unit is the only mounted unit from Colorado participating in the operation. Three deputies and four horses will be making the trip to Kansas City and will provide support outside Arrowhead Stadium during the following matches: Argentina vs. Algeria - June 16 Ecuador vs. Curacao - June 20 Tunisia vs. Netherlands - June 25 Algeria vs. Austria - June 27 Playoff game - July 3 Quarterfinal game - July 11 The horses will help maintain order and enhance public safety outside the stadium and at the FIFA Fan Festival. “Our mounted unit will serve as a highly visible law enforcement presence during the World Cup,” says Lt. Rich Anselmi. “Mounted deputies have an elevated vantage point that allows them to monitor large crowds and quickly identify potential security concerns. Our horses are highly trained and can move effectively through congested areas, help guide large groups of enthusiastic fans, and serve as friendly community ambassadors.” To prepare for the event, the ACSO horses have undergone extensive training designed to simulate the conditions they may encounter during the tournament. Training exercises included exposure to smoke bombs, fireworks, and flares, and other loud noises to help desensitize the animals to high-stress environments. Deputies also practiced guiding their horses calmly through thick smoke while maintaining control and confidence. This preparation helps ensure the horses remain steady, effective, and safe in volatile crowd-control situations. “We were honored to be invited to participate in the FIFA World Cup event. Our horses truly enjoy this type of work. By nature, horses like having a job, and we can see how much they enjoy the teamwork and interacting with people,” says Lt. Anselmi. The ACSO deputies and horses participating in the deployment are:   Richard Anselmi with horses Benelli and Ace – Depart on June 9 Deputy Crystal Essman with horse Utah – Departs on June 23 Deputy Alex Wildee with horse Ceili - Departs on July 7