The U.S. today warned its citizens that this summer's Euro 2016 football tournament in France is a 'potential targets for terrorists'.
The month-long European Championship starts in Paris on June 10, drawing the best international teams from the continent and hundreds of thousands of fans.
It mirrors a similar warning from President Francois Hollande and comes as forensic police and armed officers took part in a terror drill outside football stadiums in Paris and Lyon today.
The State Department said: 'Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists.'
The warning was contained in an update to its long-standing warning to U.S. travelers to beware extremist attacks on transport and public gatherings in Europe.
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| An actor covered in fake blood lies pretending to be injured outside |
'We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation.
'The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events.'
The French government has ruled out cancelling the prestigious tournament, which is expected to draw two million fans to cities across the country.
It also said earlier this month it will deploy more than 90,000 police and security guards for the soccer tournament, vowing to do 'everything possible to avoid a terrorist attack'.
To strengthen security at Euro 2016, France has extended a state of emergency put in place after attacks last November on a concert hall, cafes, police and a football crowd.
Last month, French domestic intelligence chief Patrick Calvar told lawmakers that France is 'clearly targeted' by ISIS.
France feared a 'new form of attack' in which terrorists would place bombs in areas where big crowds gather, he warned.
Meanwhile, forensic police and armed officers took part in a terror drill outside a football stadium today in the buildup to the prestigious event.
Photographs of the rehearsal showed bloodied actors lying on the ground, while officers arrested and faced down others with pointed guns.
The drill occurred outside the Stade des Lumieres near Lyon, where Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Northern Ireland will all play games in the championship.
It also comes just months after the deadly November 13 attacks saw several jihadis try to enter the Stade de France in Paris to detonate their suicide vests.
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