Local security officials from the 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup testified before the House Homeland Security Committee on February 25, 2026, that the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has frozen nearly $900 million in promised federal security grants. The funding lapse, triggered by a continuing resolution impasse, has halted reimbursements and grant disbursements through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), leaving cities unable to fully fund training, staffing, cybersecurity, and infrastructure hardening with less than 107 days until the tournament opens on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City.

The 11 U.S. host cities had been allocated a combined $625 million in FEMA World Cup security grants under the 2024 appropriations package. None of it is currently flowing.

107 days until kickoff. $900 million in security grants frozen. 11 host cities stalled on training, staffing, and counter-drone systems. Security planning deadlines require contracts locked in 90 to 120 days before events.

The 11 U.S. Host Cities

The following cities are confirmed U.S. hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and are directly affected by the funding freeze:

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DHS Shutdown and Frozen Security Funds

The partial DHS funding lapse began on January 20, 2026, after Congress failed to pass full-year appropriations. FEMA has since limited operations to “bare minimum, life-saving activities,” which explicitly excludes disbursement of non-essential preparedness grants, including all World Cup security allocations.

The key frozen amounts, as testified before the committee:

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These figures were appropriated in the FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act and allocated specifically for the 2026 tournament. They are fully authorized but currently inaccessible due to the continuing resolution impasse.

Security Needs Outlined by Host Cities

City officials testified that the frozen grants fund critical, time-sensitive elements of event security that cannot be financed through local budgets alone:

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Miami-Dade County officials highlighted that Fan Fest preparations, expected to draw 100,000+ visitors daily, are stalled without reimbursement for temporary fencing, screening equipment, and medical staging areas.

Timeline Pressure: 107 Days Until Kickoff

The first match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with U.S. venues hosting group-stage games starting June 12. Host cities reported that security planning timelines require final contracts and full training programs to be locked in 90 to 120 days before events — leaving virtually no margin for the current delay to continue.

Officials warned that incomplete coordination and staffing shortages could create significant vulnerabilities. One representative testified that the existing gaps “could have catastrophic consequences if a major incident occurs.”

Federal Response and Next Steps

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed in written testimony that FEMA is maintaining essential life-safety operations but cannot process grant reimbursements during the current funding lapse. No timeline was provided for when appropriations would be resolved or funds released.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will involve 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with an expected 6 million attendees and global viewership projected at 5 billion. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in North America.

Security Funding at a Glance

Item	Detail
Total Frozen Security Grants	~$900 million
World Cup Host City Grants	$625 million
Counter-Drone Program Funding	$500 million
Days Until Tournament Opens	107 days (June 11, 2026)
Planning Deadline Requirement	90-120 days before events
U.S. Host Cities Affected	11 cities
Total Host Cities (All Countries)	16 (USA, Canada, Mexico)
Total Matches	104
Expected Attendees	6 million
Projected Global Viewership	5 billion
Legal Authority for Grants	FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Act
DHS Lapse Start Date	January 20, 2026

Timeline: From Appropriation to Funding Freeze

When nearly $900 million in security grants sits frozen 107 days before kickoff, the scoreboard may show goals, but the real game is keeping the funding flowing.