FOLLOW US

With just 106 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on U.S. soil, the 11 host cities remain in limbo over the release of their share of $625 million in federal security funding — an uncertainty local officials warn could derail preparations for one of the largest sporting events in American history.

On a recent call with the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force led by Andrew Giuliani, host committee representatives pressed for clarity on the long-promised grants. According to three sources familiar with the conversation (granted anonymity to speak candidly), they received only vague assurances of an “administrative delay” with no firm timeline.

The holdup coincides with the ongoing partial government shutdown and a broader FEMA funding slowdown. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently paused non-emergency grants to prioritize disaster response, directly affecting counterterrorism and security funding — including the World Cup pipeline.

In a Wednesday letter to the task force (reviewed by POLITICO), the host committees underscored the urgency: “With now only 106 days until the competition begins, we wanted to express to you the importance of finalizing and resolving any administrative concerns regarding the distribution of FIFA World Cup security grants.” They described the funds as “critical to delivering a safe, secure, and successful World Cup this summer.”

The committees warned they need the money immediately to meet procurement deadlines, sign contracts, issue RFPs, and purchase equipment in time for matches. One executive told POLITICO anonymously: “We need to start making commitments now... It’s hard to do those things without some confirmation.”

The issue surfaced publicly Tuesday during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, where Miami Host Committee COO Ray Martinez testified: “Without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination.”

Congress, with President Trump’s backing, included the $625 million in last year’s sweeping GOP megabill. Host committees met the December application deadline, and the Notice of Funding Opportunity listed Jan. 30 as the anticipated award date — a deadline that has passed without formal notifications.

Noem stated Thursday that FEMA was in the “final stages” of reviewing applications when the shutdown began, placing “significant portions” of staff on administrative leave. She warned the funding freeze threatens readiness for both the World Cup and America 250 celebrations.

The White House task force did not immediately comment.

The delay risks undermining security for a global event spanning 11 cities and drawing millions of visitors, underscoring broader shutdown impacts on non-emergency federal priorities.