Local and national officials voiced their concerns on Tuesday regarding the impact of the ongoing partial government shutdown on the planning and preparation for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in just over 100 days. During a hearing of the House Committee on Homeland Security, representatives from Miami, Kansas City, and New Jersey—key host cities for the tournament—stated they are still awaiting federal funding that is crucial for their local agencies.
In July, lawmakers approved $625 million in federal assistance aimed at enhancing security for World Cup events through the Trump administration’s policy bill. However, with the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada expecting to attract around five million fans in the U.S., the lack of available funds is causing anxiety as significant events and festivals scheduled in these host cities hinge on federal financial support.
Nellie Pou, a representative from New Jersey, articulated the frustration felt by many when she stated, “Congress has appropriated $625 million for the 11 cities hosting World Cup matches, including my district. With only roughly four months to go, these cities still report they have not received this funding. This is completely unacceptable this close to kickoff.” She emphasized the need for timely action and coordination from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the country is prepared for such a high-profile event.
The ongoing government shutdown, which is the third within a little more than a year, primarily affects the DHS and its various agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which oversees the grant distributions. The funding for these agencies lapsed when lawmakers failed to approve the DHS appropriations bill. Senate Democrats have indicated that they will not approve additional funding until new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement operations are established following recent tragic events involving ICE agents.
While ICE is likely to remain funded due to prior resources allocated through the same policy bill, the lack of funds for FEMA is critical for World Cup preparations. Miami has requested $70 million in assistance, with their chief operating officer, Raymond Martinez, stressing the urgency of the situation, “We are 107 days out from the tournament, but more importantly, we are about 70-something days away from starting to build the fan fest.” He expressed that without timely funding, significant disruptions to planning would be inevitable.
Additionally, the ramifications of the funding delay have begun to manifest, as seen in New Jersey, where plans for a large-scale fan festival at Liberty State Park were scrapped in favor of smaller watch parties. Martinez echoed concerns that events might be canceled entirely if funding is not promptly secured, emphasizing that while matches will occur at the stadium, preparations for various related events are at risk.
Kansas City police deputy chief Joseph Mabin, whose city will host six matches and expects around 650,000 visitors, also voiced the crucial need for timely funding to ensure public safety and effective resource allocation for the event.
In Foxborough, Massachusetts, officials are similarly struggling with funding issues, having not received the nearly $8 million needed to cover security costs at Gillette Stadium, which is expected to host games featuring prominent teams, including England and France. The town, with its modest population of 18,000, is facing pressure to secure the necessary licensing for FIFA to hold the matches, with potential solutions remaining unresolved.
With a deadline of March 17 set to find a resolution to these financial challenges, officials are racing against time to ensure that everything is in place for the World Cup, and that the United States can successfully host this monumental sporting event with the coordination and security it demands. Optimism remains that through collaboration and urgency, the necessary support can be harnessed to make the World Cup a resounding success.