FIFA World Cup Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of the FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP)?

   TheFWCGP makes funds available to Host City Committee Task Forces through governor-designated State Administrative Agencies (SAAs), to carry out the extensive security activities required to protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across the host cities events, strengthening them against potential terrorist attacks leading up to and during the World Cup.

2. What legislation authorized funding for the FWCGP?

   The program is authorized by Section 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-296, as amended) (6 U.S.C. § 605). Section 90005(a)(1)(B) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-21) appropriated $625 million for the FWCGP.

3. How much funding is available for the FWCGP?

   The total amount of funds available for the FWCGP is $625 million.

4. Where is the FWCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) located?

   Due to the current lapse in federal government funding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is unable to update Grants.gov or FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO) with new funding opportunities. To ensure there is no delay in supporting these critical events, the FWCGP NOFO and all application materials are being distributed directly to State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) via email. Once the lapse in funding is resolved, the NOFO will also be made available on https://www.grants.gov and https://www.fema.gov/grants.

5. Who is eligible to apply for the FWCGP?

   State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) are the only entities eligible to submit FWCGP applications to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Tribal governments may not apply directly for FWCGP funding; however, funding may be available to Tribal Nations through the SAAs.

   Funds will be awarded to SAAs in nine eligible states (California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri (on behalf of Missouri and Kansas), New Jersey (on behalf of New Jersey and New York), Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington), with a mandatory pass-through to the Host City Committee Task Forces within 45 days of receipt of funds by the SAA, to support security and preparedness activities. SAAs must pass-through 100% of funds to the Host City Committee Task Forces within 45 days of receipt of funds by the SAA, to support security and preparedness activities.

6. What are the key dates associated with the FWCGP?

   -Application Start Date: October 28, 2025 at 8 a.m. Eastern Time (ET)

   -Application Submission Deadline: December 5, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET

7. What is the FWCGP period of performance?

   The period of performance is from July 4, 2025 to August 31, 2026.

8. How will the FWCGP funds be allocated?

   Final funding decisions will be based on risk assessments, subject-matter expert input, and project feasibility, while also ensuring alignment with national priorities and compliance with legal, financial, and policy guidelines for strategic allocation of funds.

9. What project types are allowable for the FWCGP?

   Allowable costs for FWCGP generally fall into five main categories: planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises (POETE). All projects funded under FWCGP must demonstrate a clear connection to building capabilities that safeguard FIFA World Cup events.

   Please see Appendix A: Allowable Activities in the FWCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information on allowable costs.

10. What other resources are available to address programmatic, technical, and financial questions?

    -For additional program-specific information, please [email protected]

    -For support regarding financial grant management and budgetary technical assistance, applicants may contact the DHS/FEMA Award Administration Help Desk via e-mail at [email protected].

11. How do we ensure that we are receiving the latest information, updates, and guidance from FEMA on the status of the preparedness grants?

    All communications will be sent via [email protected]

Application Development and Submission

1. How will FWCGP applications be submitted?

   Due to the current lapse in federal government funding, FEMA is distributing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and application materials directly via email to the eligible State Administrative Agencies (SAAs). This approach ensures SAAs can access funding quickly and efficiently to support critical preparedness efforts.

   If the funding lapse continues past the December 5, 2025, application deadline, SAAs may submit their applications via email to [email protected] with all required information from the NOFO. Once the lapse is resolved, SAAs will be expected to submit the full application into the FEMA GO system to complete the submission process.

   All application materials will be posted on Grants.gov once available upon the conclusion of the funding lapse. Completed applications must be submitted either via email or FEMA GO no later than 5 p.m. ET on December 5, 2025.

Application Reviews

1. What projects are ineligible for the FWCGP?

   Projects are ineligible if they do not align with the FWCGP purpose and fail to demonstrate a clear nexus to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, or responding to acts of terrorism. Additionally, projects that include activities not permitted under the FWCGP guidance or that do not meet the criteria for allowable costs as outlined in Appendix A of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) are ineligible.

2. How are applications reviewed?

   FWCGP applications are reviewed first by the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for completeness, eligibility, and alignment with program priorities. All applications are then reviewed by federal reviewers for compliance with programmatic, legal, and financial requirements. Reviewers use qualitative criteria to assess each application's feasibility and alignment with FWCGP objectives. No formal numerical or weighted scoring system is used; any internal scoring is advisory only and does not serve as the basis for selection or funding levels. Final funding decisions are made by the Secretary of Homeland Security, taking into account risk, subject-matter expert input, project feasibility, and national priorities.

Contact Information

1. Who do I contact if I have questions?

   For additional program-specific information, please contact [email protected].