Brian Johnson, Head of Safety, Security & Access at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has been appointed once again as a FIFA Safety & Security Officer, this time for the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, ahead of a major international football tournament in the United States.
Brian, who oversees safety and security operations across AFC competitions, plays a key role in planning and coordinating event safety frameworks with host member associations. His responsibilities include ensuring the protection of spectators, teams, and officials through comprehensive risk assessments, security planning, and the implementation of procedures designed to prevent and manage incidents of violence or misconduct at football venues.
In his current role at the AFC, Brian is responsible for both administrative and operational leadership within the Safety, Security & Access Unit. This includes liaising with public authorities, football governing bodies, and event stakeholders to ensure that all safety and security operations meet international standards. His work also covers stadium licensing, safety certification, and venue inspections across AFC competitions.
With over twenty years of experience in football operations, Brian’s career spans roles from Assistant in the Events Department to his current leadership position. Throughout this period, he has been involved in organising football, futsal, and beach soccer competitions across Asia, contributing significantly to the development of safety and security standards within the sport.
His international experience includes several high-profile FIFA appointments. Notably, he served as a FIFA Safety and Security Officer during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Al Bayt Stadium, which hosted multiple matches including the opening fixture between Qatar and Ecuador, as well as key group-stage and knockout matches such as Germany vs Spain and England vs France, and a semifinal clash between Morocco and France.
Brian has also served as FIFA Safety and Security Officer at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, based in Nashville, Tennessee, and has held positions as FIFA Match Coordinator at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 and FIFA Competition Coordinator at the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.
His latest assignment will see him stationed at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys and one of the largest stadiums in the tournament with a capacity of approximately 94,000 spectators. The venue is scheduled to host nine matches, including five group-stage fixtures, two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match, and a semifinal.
Brian holds a Master of Business Administration and a Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. He has also completed numerous specialist courses and training programmes conducted by AFC, FIFA, and UEFA, further strengthening his expertise in stadium safety, security operations, and event management.
His continued appointments at major international tournaments reflect a long-standing career dedicated to ensuring the safety, security, and smooth operation of football events at the highest level.
