FIFA Faces Claims for Millions From U.S. World Cup Host Cities

WHO:

The Straits Times - FIFA, Gianni Infantino (FIFA President), executives from World Cup cities, representatives of the 2026 World Cup cities.

Sports Illustrated - FIFA, Gianni Infantino, host cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.

SportsDesk - FIFA, U.S. World Cup host cities.

WHAT:

The Straits Times - Four executives from World Cup cities reported that FIFA management assured them they would receive US$1 million in “legacy” funds for social projects, similar to the Club World Cup cities.

Sports Illustrated - The total amount owed to the 11 U.S. host cities is US$11 million, which FIFA has not yet paid.

WSB-TV - Developers in Atlanta's South Downtown district have invested over $140 million into the area, transforming it into apartments, retail shops, and restaurants following the World Cup.

Fort Worth Report - Fort Worth's tourism officials created a “Howdy World” brand, with over 180 local businesses participating in welcoming visitors during the World Cup.

Fort Worth Report - Fort Worth welcomed about 3 million tourists during the World Cup, which was a 9% increase compared to usual summer numbers.

Fort Worth Report - The average hotel daily count in Fort Worth was up 22% during the tournament.

Fort Worth Report - The North Texas organizing committee estimated a total economic impact for the region of between $1.5 billion to $2 billion from the World Cup.

The Loadstar - Airfreight rates from Central and South America to North America rose 7.3% during the period following the World Cup, although volumes contracted by 1.5%.

dronedj.com - The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that over 700 unauthorized drones were confiscated during the World Cup, marking the largest airspace security operation in U.S. history.

dronedj.com - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established nearly 250 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) covering stadiums, fan festivals, team hotels, and training facilities during the tournament.

The Straits Times - U.S. cities that hosted the 2026 World Cup claim FIFA owes them US$1 million each in “legacy” funds to build mini-pitches and support “social projects” in their cities.

Sports Illustrated - FIFA had a budget for the 2026 World Cup of about US$2.7 billion.

SportsDesk - The tournament shattered the all-time World Cup attendance record, drawing over 6.8 million stadium spectators across 104 matches, with another nine million supporters at official Fan Festivals.

The Straits Times - U.S. cities that hosted the 2026 World Cup claim FIFA owes them US$1 million each in “legacy” funds.

Sports Illustrated - FIFA has not made the promised payments of US$1 million to each of the 11 U.S. host cities, totaling US$11 million.

Sports Illustrated - FIFA earned a record US$15 billion from the World Cup.

SportsDesk - U.S. World Cup cities are seeking millions of dollars promised by FIFA.

WHERE:

The Straits Times - U.S. cities including Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York-New Jersey, Miami, and Boston.

Sports Illustrated - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which hosted the 2026 World Cup final.

WHEN:

The Straits Times - The 2026 World Cup was hosted over 39 days from June 11 to July 19.

Sports Illustrated - The FIFA Club World Cup took place the previous year.

WHY:

The Straits Times - FIFA management assured U.S. host cities they would receive the same “legacy” contribution as the Club World Cup cities.

Sports Illustrated - FIFA is facing backlash and scrutiny ahead of an election in March due to financial controversies.

HOW:

The Loadstar - The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that the counter-drone operation during the World Cup was the largest in U.S. history, resulting in the seizure of over 700 unauthorized drones.

Sports Illustrated - New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill stated that the round-trip train fare from Penn Station in New York City to MetLife Stadium would jump from a typical $12.90 to over $150 for fans, without any reduced fares for seniors, children, and those with disabilities.

The Straits Times - FIFA management verbally committed to the funding multiple times.

Sports Illustrated - New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill criticized FIFA for not covering transportation costs, which amounted to a $48 million bill for NJ Transit.

(UPDATED August 6, 2026 05:01 UTC)

FIFA management has assured four executives from World Cup cities that they will receive US$1 million in “legacy” funds for social projects, similar to what was provided to Club World Cup cities, although the total amount owed to the 11 U.S. host cities remains at US$11 million, which FIFA has yet to pay. Meanwhile, developers in Atlanta's South Downtown district have invested over $140 million to transform the area into a vibrant mix of apartments, retail shops, and restaurants following the World Cup, while Fort Worth's tourism officials have launched a “Howdy World” brand with participation from over 180 local businesses to welcome visitors. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported that the counter-drone operation during the World Cup was the largest in U.S. history, resulting in the seizure of more than 700 unauthorized drones.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 20:27 UTC)

Fort Worth experienced a significant boost in tourism during the World Cup, welcoming about 3 million visitors, which is a 9% increase compared to typical summer numbers, and hotel occupancy rose by 22% during this time. The North Texas organizing committee estimates that the tournament generated an impressive economic impact of between $1.5 billion to $2 billion for the region. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported the confiscation of over 700 unauthorized drones, marking the largest airspace security operation in U.S. history, supported by nearly 250 Temporary Flight Restrictions established by the FAA around key venues.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 18:24 UTC)

U.S. cities that hosted the 2026 World Cup are claiming that FIFA owes them one million dollars each in "legacy" funds to help build mini-pitches and support social projects. The tournament not only had a budget of about 2.7 billion dollars but also shattered the all-time World Cup attendance record, attracting over 6.8 million spectators across 104 matches, with an additional nine million fans at official Fan Festivals. In a related concern, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that the round-trip train fare from Penn Station in New York City to MetLife Stadium is expected to soar from a typical $12.90 to over $150, with no reduced fares available for seniors, children, or those with disabilities.

(UPDATED August 5, 2026 16:12 UTC)

U.S. cities that hosted the 2026 World Cup are claiming that FIFA owes them $1 million each in promised "legacy" funds, totaling $11 million for the eleven host cities. Despite FIFA earning a record $15 billion from the event, the organization has not made these payments, leading to criticism from officials like New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who highlighted a $48 million transportation bill that FIFA did not cover. As FIFA faces scrutiny ahead of its upcoming election in March, the management had previously assured these cities they would receive the same contributions as those given to Club World Cup cities.