U.S. Host Cities Warn of Security Risks for 2026 World Cup

U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are warning of a "catastrophic" security risk due to the freezing of nearly $900 million in federal funding, which is critical for their security preparations. This funding, earmarked for 11 American cities, has not been released amid a partial federal government shutdown, raising concerns among local authorities and police chiefs about their ability to safeguard the millions of fans expected to attend the tournament.

Rai Martinez, Chief Operating Officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee, highlighted the precarious situation, especially for high-profile fixtures in Florida, including a match between Scotland and Brazil on June 24. The funding freeze stems from a grant program initiated in November by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was designed to help cities enhance security measures, including addressing drone threats.

Joseph Mabin, Deputy Chief of Police in Kansas City, emphasized the inadequacy of personnel to meet security demands without federal support, while Massachusetts officials indicated uncertainty surrounding the hosting duties of Gillette Stadium.