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

World Cup host cities, including New York/New Jersey, are waiting on Fema funding to cover security costs. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

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.