United States government officials have received stark warnings of “catastrophic” security risks as nearly $900 million in federal funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains frozen due to a partial government shutdown.
The funding lapse, which entered its second week on February 14, 2026, has paralyzed safety preparations in 11 host cities, leaving local organizers and law enforcement agencies unable to finalize essential protocols just 107 days before the tournament begins on June 11.
The fiscal deadlock centers on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after Congress failed to reach a bipartisan agreement on immigration enforcement reforms.
While essential services like border patrol remain operational, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations including the specialized FIFA World Cup grant program have seen critical funding pipelines halted.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday, officials testified that the inability to access these funds has created a dangerous lag in coordination and procurement.
Ray Martinez, the chief operating officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee, stated that the city may be forced to cancel major auxiliary events, including the official Fan Fest, unless $70 million is released by the end of March.
“We are about 70-something days out from starting to build the Fan Fest,” Martinez noted, adding that local agencies are increasingly anxious as the window for procurement closes.
READ ALSO: FIFA opens priority visa system for 2026 World Cup ticket holders
Similarly, Kansas City Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Mabin reported that his department lacks the personnel to meet the rigorous security requirements for the high-profile matches without federal assistance.
The crisis has led to unprecedented friction between local municipalities and federal authorities. In Foxborough, Massachusetts, town officials have threatened to withhold the entertainment license required for Gillette Stadium to host its seven scheduled matches.
The town, which requested nearly $8 million to cover security and manpower, has set a “drop dead” deadline of March 17. Without a resolution, high-profile fixtures including England’s group stage matches and a tournament quarterfinal face potential relocation.
The frozen funds were initially part of a $625 million grant program launched by FEMA in November 2025 to safeguard players, staff, and millions of international visitors from potential terrorist threats.
In December, an additional $250 million was authorized to bolster defenses against unmanned aircraft systems (drones), a technology deemed critical for securing open-air venues.
However, the suspension of these programs has stalled the deployment of modern surveillance tools and the hiring of private security contractors needed to supplement local police forces.
The 2026 World Cup is a collaborative effort between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the first American match the USA versus Paraguay slated for Los Angeles on June 12.
While preparation in Mexico and Canada proceeds, the U.S. leg faces mounting logistical hurdles. The potential for delays is compounded by the shutdown’s impact on other DHS divisions, such as the TSA, where unpaid agents are already managing an estimated 2.5 million daily passengers.
As the stalemate in Washington continues, host committees emphasize that the security of a global event cannot be managed through last-minute budget allocations.
Stakeholders have noted that while private entities like the Kraft family owners of the New England Patriots have been approached to bridge the funding gap in certain regions, no permanent solutions have emerged.
The House committee concluded the hearing with a warning that without immediate legislative action, the “largest sporting event in history” could be compromised by administrative gridlock