U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup are facing a funding crisis with $625 million in critical security and infrastructure money still not disbursed. The funding, approved by Congress in July, was intended to cover costs like security personnel and fan fest operations. With the tournament starting in less than 100 days, cities are growing increasingly concerned about meeting their obligations.

A partial government shutdown has complicated matters, with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA unable to process the grant applications. The shutdown began February 14 after Democrats demanded new limits on federal immigration operations. At a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Representative Nellie Pou expressed frustration that cities still haven't received the funds with only four months until kickoff.

Host cities are feeling the pinch as they approach critical deadlines. Miami's World Cup committee has set a March deadline for receiving approximately $70 million or risk canceling plans. Foxborough, Massachusetts, which hosts Gillette Stadium, has been told the Boston 2026 committee will cover the town's $8 million security costs if federal funding doesn't arrive. However, disagreements remain over deadlines and logistics. The clock is ticking as cities scramble to secure the necessary resources for what's expected to be the largest World Cup in history.