United States government officials warned that a freeze on federal funding could cause catastrophic security consequences for cities hosting the 2026 World Cup. Representative Lou Correa and other members of Congress expressed concerns that local law enforcement agencies lack the necessary resources to manage the tournament, according to Reuters. The funding is intended to cover costs for counter-terrorism, crowd control, and emergency services across the 11 American host venues.
Cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami are scheduled to host matches during the expanded 48-team tournament. Local organisers previously requested federal assistance to manage the scale of the event, which the United States co-hosts with Canada and Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet released the specific grants required for high-level security planning, per the Associated Press. Lawmakers urged the administration to expedite the process to ensure the safety of millions of spectators. FIFA is yet to comment on the funding dispute, though it maintains regular contact with host city authorities.
