Less than three months before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, the Department of Homeland Security has finally released $625 million in security grants to U.S. host cities, ending months of uncertainty for local organizers.
The funds, distributed through the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, were originally approved as part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer. However, partisan disputes over DHS funding and a partial government shutdown delayed their distribution. FEMA had initially missed a January 30 deadline and later said it could not process the grants during the shutdown.
The deadlock broke after a meeting last week between Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and White House World Cup task force head Andrew Giuliani. Giuliani informed host cities on March 11 that the funding was approved.
“This grant program provides valuable funding to host cities, helping them strengthen security operations and protect their communities,” Giuliani said. “It demonstrates President Trump’s commitment to supporting our partners and ensuring a safe and successful tournament for all.”
Local officials had emphasized the urgent need for the funding. Miami host committee COO Raymond Martinez told the House Homeland Security Committee in February that agencies were “very anxious” and needed money within 30 days. Kansas City deputy police chief Joseph Mabin echoed the sentiment, calling the grants “critical” to hire sufficient staff.
Rep. Nellie Pou (D., N.J.), representing the district hosting the World Cup final, criticized DHS for delaying the funding. “We cannot allow mismanagement or incompetence to threaten years of careful preparation and imperil the security of the millions of visitors to the games,” she said.
In addition to the $625 million for cities, FEMA recently granted $250 million to states hosting the tournament and America250 celebrations to support policing and drone operations.
With the funding now cleared, host cities can accelerate final preparations, ensuring law enforcement and emergency services are fully staffed and ready as the global tournament approaches.
