FEMA Awards Historic $625 Million for States and Cities to Secure This Year’s FIFA World Cup Matches

New FIFA World Cup Grant Program Will Help Host Cities Keep Players and Fans Safe

WASHINGTON -- Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $625 million to empower all 11 cities hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches to bolster security preparations ahead of the tournament, in close coordination with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026. This funding, administered through the new FIFA World Cup Grant Program, will enable state and local officials to hold operational exercises, conduct staff background checks and strengthen cybersecurity defenses. Recipients can also use awarded funds to pay for increased police and emergency response at FIFA venues, hotels and transportation hubs. The FIFA World Cup Grant Program is just one part of the Trump Administration's whole-of-government strategy to ensure the safety and security of American communities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as outlined in the Executive Order on Establishing the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup.

"We are proud of the collaborative efforts between federal agencies, local partners and the White House Task Force in preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026. "This grant program provides valuable funding to host cities, helping them strengthen security operations and protect their communities. It demonstrates President Trump's commitment to supporting our partners and ensuring a safe and successful tournament for all."

"The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, so it must also be the most secure," said Karen S. Evans, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator. "Through the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, FEMA is providing critical funding-over half a billion dollars-to help state and local authorities protect their communities as well as World Cup venues, players and attendees. By delivering these resources and ensuring the money is spent efficiently and effectively, FEMA is making a significant contribution to a safe, secure World Cup."

The FIFA World Cup Grant Program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. Over the last several months, FEMA staff worked diligently to finalize the program's details, published the funding opportunity and reviewed applications. Their efforts were significantly impacted by three separate funding lapses, which forced them to work with limited staff and resources. Despite those challenges, they have successfully completed thorough reviews of all applications and are administering the awards. This accomplishment is a testament to the Trump Administration's commitment to getting resources into the hands of law enforcement.

In addition to this $625 million in FIFA World Cup Grant Program awards, FEMA also recently awarded $250 million to the states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 through the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program. In recent years, criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of unmanned aircraft systems, also known as "drones." With C-UAS Grant Program funds, FIFA World Cup host cities can strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track or mitigate the unlawful use of this technology. The C-UAS Grant Program was also established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

This announcement comes after a critical evaluation of all FEMA grant programs and recipients. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem's leadership, FEMA has become a responsible steward of taxpayers' dollars. The agency instituted sweeping reforms to its grant programs, eliminating egregious waste, fraud and abuse that had been happening for decades. Its grant programs are now carefully crafted to ensure that that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans.

FEMA announced the FIFA World Cup Grant Program's funding notice and other program information on October 28, 2025.