2026 World Cup Host Cities Face Funding Delay Amid U.S. Government Shutdown
World Cup host cities struggle with $625M in delayed security funding due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, raising concerns about potential cancellations of fan festivals.
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is facing a critical funding challenge as host cities await the release of promised federal assistance. With the tournament just over 100 days away, local and national officials have expressed growing concerns that the ongoing partial government shutdown in the U.S. could adversely affect the planning and preparation efforts.
In a recent hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security, representatives from Miami, Kansas City, and New Jersey – three of the host cities that will collectively host 21 matches, including the final – revealed that they are still waiting on the federal funds to be released to their respective local agencies. Last July, lawmakers had pledged $625 million in federal assistance toward World Cup security via the Trump administration's
Source: The Guardian
