There are rumors that FIFA will generate millions of dollars and that FIFA pays for the security, including the services of police officers.
According to a search, it seems not to be true. Not only will FIFA not fill Houston’s coffers, but it may actually deplete them.
We may not even get any federal funds, as we are considered a sanctuary city. With Trump, one never knows the mood he will be in.
Responsibility for paying for FIFA security is split between the host country, cities, and FIFA itself, with the host nation bearing a significant portion of the costs. For the 2026 World Cup, for example, the burden is being shared among the United States, Mexico, Canada, their individual host cities, and FIFA.
Host nation
- Host countries are responsible for “public-facing” security needs, including the policing of stadiums, city streets, and public transportation.
- The federal government of the host country may provide funding assistance to local host cities. For the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Congress passed a bill to provide $625 million in federal funding for security.
- Some of this federal funding may also address security concerns related to fan festivals and drone threats.
Host cities
- Host cities often bear a significant portion of the security costs themselves, both at the stadiums and in surrounding areas.
- They typically use taxpayer funds, private sponsorships, and donations to cover these expenses.
- In Canada, the cost of hosting matches for the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver increased partly due to higher security costs, which are covered by the city and province.
FIFA
- FIFA is responsible for some operational security costs, but the organization controls the most lucrative revenue streams from the tournament, such as sponsorships, ticket sales, and media rights.
- This arrangement has created an imbalance, with host cities shouldering significant public safety expenses while FIFA reaps the majority of the profits.
