The report says the drone was flown near Centennial Olympic Park, where Atlanta is hosting its main World Cup fan activities. Rojas-Martinez was allegedly recording the festival from a nearby parking area when officers identified him.
For football organisers, the concern extends well beyond disruption. A drone over a fan zone can create uncertainty for spectators, emergency responders and security teams, particularly when thousands of people are gathered in a confined area.
The report also says Rojas-Martinez faces a separate charge relating to illegally re-entering the United States after two previous deportations. That allegation remains part of the wider federal case.
Authorities reportedly say 21 drones have been seized over alleged restricted-airspace violations connected to World Cup events, including the aircraft attributed to Rojas-Martinez.
Marlo Graham, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said ground intercept teams would continue to “find operators, seize drones and seek prosecutions where restricted airspace rules are broken around World Cup activities.”
That language signals a firm approach as tournament preparations and fan events continue. The focus is not only on the device itself, but also on identifying operators quickly and preventing incidents from escalating.
For supporters, the immediate message is clear: the fan festival experience will be matched by heightened security overhead. The next storyline to watch will be whether further drone incidents emerge as Atlanta’s World Cup programme gathers pace-and how authorities balance an open festival atmosphere with increasingly strict airspace controls.