World Cup host cities ‘running out of time’ with $625m in funding held up by shutdown

Funds promised for security have not been received

Officials warn of potential cancellations to fan festivals

Local and national officials expressed concern on Tuesday that the ongoing partial government shutdown in the United States could adversely affect planning and preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which is just over 100 days away.

In a hearing before the House committee on homeland security, representatives from Miami, Kansas City and New Jersey – three locations that will host a combined total of 21 matches in the tournament, including the final – said they are still waiting on federal funds to be released to their respective local agencies. Last July, lawmakers pledged $625m in federal assistance toward World Cup security via the Trump administration’s “big beautiful” policy bill.

The World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, is expected to draw some five million fans to the US alone. Games aside, large-scale fan festivals and myriad other events are planned in host cities, many of which are dependent in part on federal funding.