U.S. cities slated to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, kicking off on June 11, could face a potential crisis due to funding shortages and inadequate federal support, officials warn.
According to AFP, representatives from host cities and security agencies testified before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday. They identified two primary factors severely hampering preparations: the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) fund freeze and insufficient coordination among federal agencies.
FEMA has currently frozen all non-essential funds due to a Department of Homeland Security shutdown, limiting operations to life-saving activities only. This freeze affects approximately $900 million earmarked for World Cup host cities.
Last November, FEMA initiated a World Cup grant program to allocate $625 million to host cities for counterterrorism efforts and infrastructure protection. In December, an additional $250 million was designated for 11 states to enhance drone detection, identification, and response capabilities.
Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association (NFCA), expressed regret during the hearing, saying that if the issue had been addressed two years ago, they would be in a better position. Now, with the event looming, he warned they are woefully underprepared. The NFCA facilitates information sharing among federal agencies to help prepare for emergencies, including terrorist threats.
Raymond Martinez, Chief Operating Officer of the Miami World Cup Organizing Committee, underscored the urgency, noting that while there are 107 days until the tournament, the more immediate reality is that there are roughly 70 days to begin Fan Fest construction.
Martinez cautioned that failing to secure the requested $70 million by the end of March could trigger cancellations, starting with the Fan Fest. Missing that funding, he said, could derail plans and coordination efforts.
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, officials suggested they might have to abandon plans to host seven matches at Gillette Stadium if funding isn’t secured.
Joseph Mabin, deputy chief of the Kansas City Police Department, stressed the need for additional funding to hire more personnel, noting that the city is currently unable to meet the event’s overall security requirements.