Concerns about security are increasing regarding the World Cup in the US following delays in funding

Intelligence briefings examined by Reuters have indicated the risk of extremists and criminals aiming at the World Cup, coinciding with delays in the release of hundreds of millions of dollars in approved security funds, which has resulted in U.S. preparations lagging behind.

The previously unreported briefings from U.S. federal and state officials, along with FIFA, the international federation responsible for the World Cup, detailed the potential risk of extremist attacks. These included threats to transportation infrastructure and civil unrest linked to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

The soccer World Cup, a premier global sporting event, is set to take place this June and July in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Security at such events is consistently rigorous, but U.S. law enforcement has been particularly vigilant since the onset of the war on Iran, expressing concerns regarding potential retaliatory threats.

Officials preparing for the World Cup in the United States have raised concerns in recent weeks about a delay in $625 million in federal security grants for the event, which were included in a Republican-backed spending bill passed in July 2025.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, responsible for distributing the funds, announced in November that it anticipated allocating the money by January 30 at the latest.

After inquiries from Reuters this month, prompted by complaints from officials and organizers about not receiving anything, FEMA announced on Wednesday that it had awarded the grants, stating that the funds would “bolster security preparations.”

As the initial matches commence in Mexico on June 11, followed by those in the U.S. and Canada the following day, the states and cities that will host these events are heavily engaged in preparations, particularly concerning measures to protect against potential attacks.

Officials involved informed Reuters that the delayed funding and threat warnings have added to an already intricate process.

According to Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association, which represents a network of 80 information centers across the U.S. that facilitate federal, state, and local intelligence sharing, the grant money distribution process typically spans several months, and the acquisition of technology and equipment can extend even further.

“It will be very close,” he stated.

An intelligence report from December 2025 in New Jersey, examining potential threats to matches in the state, including the final, highlighted recent domestic attacks, disrupted terror plots, and an increase in extremist propaganda. The report also highlighted the potential for spontaneous gatherings arising from tensions between nations.

An intelligence report from September 2025 detailed an online post that seemingly urged attacks on railroad infrastructure during the World Cup, stating there were “plenty of opportunities for us to knock it off the tracks” and emphasizing matches on the West Coast of the U.S. and Canada. The transparency nonprofit Property of the People obtained the documents through open records requests.

Funding delays and concerns regarding ICE

Democrats have held outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem responsible for postponing the distribution of the funds. 

Under Noem’s leadership, DHS also withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in homeland security funds last year from a dozen Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., while urging them to enhance immigration enforcement.

In response to a request for comment, White House spokesman Davis Ingle criticized Democrats for the postponed funding, pointing to disagreements regarding immigration enforcement strategies. “The president is dedicated to making this the greatest World Cup ever while ensuring it is the safest and most secure in history,” Ingle stated. “The Democrats should cease engaging in trivial pursuits.”

The immigration crackdown initiated by Trump has already created a somber atmosphere at the event and heightened worries regarding the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Since Trump assumed office in January 2025, masked immigration agents have apprehended suspected immigration violators in U.S. cities and detained certain tourists at airports.

This has occurred alongside a decline in overall international visitors from the Trump era, as indicated by data from the U.S. Commerce Department. Early signs have indicated a robust demand for flight bookings and ticket sales for the tournament.

In a FIFA weekly intelligence briefing from January 28, analysts cautioned that anti-ICE activism in U.S. cities, in reaction to immigration enforcement, might reduce the barriers “to hostile actions by lone actors or extremist elements.”

Trump has implemented full or partial travel bans on nationals from over three dozen countries, including Iran, which is currently negotiating with FIFA to relocate its matches to Mexico amid its ongoing conflict with the United States. Three additional countries whose supporters encounter Trump travel bans—Haiti, Ivory Coast, and Senegal—have also secured their place in the tournament.

Concerns regarding security are now reaching fan events.

Numerous officials from the World Cup and state levels have expressed that “FIFA Fan Festival” events are a significant concern. The events enable numerous individuals to gather and view matches collectively on outdoor screens.

Last month, an unexpected cancellation occurred for a Fan Festival event that was set to take place in Liberty State Park in Jersey City during the tournament, leading to the organization of smaller gatherings instead.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill stated at the time that numerous smaller events would enable a greater number of people in the area to appreciate the experience. A person familiar with the planning indicated that security concerns also played a role in the decision.

U.S. Representative Nellie Pou, a Democrat from New Jersey, which encompasses MetLife Stadium—one of the venues for the upcoming games—stated that each of the 104 matches in the World Cup would be comparable to a Super Bowl. “Local government and local law enforcement will certainly have their hands full,” Pou remarked. “They require every dollar they are entitled to, and they require it immediately.”