Buckling up for the World Cup should be about goal celebrations and bad stadium snacks, not worry. Yet US officials and FIFA have been flagging real security risks ahead of the June and July tournament, and a major chunk of federal money meant to shore up protections was stuck in limbo.
What the intelligence briefings say
Federal and state intelligence documents, along with FIFA briefings, warn that extremists and criminals could target the World Cup. Threats listed include attacks on transportation infrastructure and unrest tied to immigration enforcement policies. Some reports note the risk could increase when large crowds gather for matches or related events.
A New Jersey intelligence report from December 2025 highlighted recent domestic attacks, disrupted plots and a rise in extremist propaganda. A separate September 2025 report surfaced an online post seemingly urging attacks on railroad infrastructure during the tournament, pointing to matches on the West Coast. Those documents were obtained through open records requests by the nonprofit Property of the People.
Money meant for security got delayed
Congress approved $625 million in federal grants for World Cup security as part of a Republican-backed spending bill in July 2025. FEMA, which must distribute the grants, told officials in November it expected to allocate the funds by January 30. State and local planners who need the cash to buy equipment and coordinate operations said the delay left them scrambling.
After questions from reporters this month, FEMA announced on Wednesday that it had awarded the grants and said the funds would help bolster security preparations. Officials warned that the normal process of allocating money and procuring equipment often takes months, so the timeline is tight.
Politics and blame
Democrats have blamed outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for holding up the money. They say DHS used funding as leverage to push for tougher immigration enforcement in a set of Democratic-led states last year.
The White House pushed back and pointed to disagreements over immigration policy as the cause of the holdup. A White House spokesman said the president wants a safe tournament and criticized Democrats for delaying things.
Immigration enforcement and crowd effects
The wider political backdrop matters here. Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, his administration stepped up immigration enforcement. Masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have conducted roundups in US cities and detained some travelers at airports. Those actions have raised concerns among planners that anti-ICE protests or activism could increase the chances of hostile actions by lone actors or extremists, according to a FIFA intelligence briefing dated January 28.
The administration has also imposed full or partial travel bans on nationals from more than three dozen countries, including Iran. Iran has been discussing moving its matches to Mexico because of the current tensions with the United States. Several other countries whose fans face travel restrictions, including Haiti, Ivory Coast and Senegal, have qualified for the tournament.
US Commerce Department data showed a drop in overall international visitors after the change in administration, but early indicators suggest flight bookings and ticket sales for the tournament remain strong.
Fan events and local concerns
Officials singled out FIFA Fan Festival events as particular points of concern. These outdoor viewing areas draw large crowds for match screenings, and they are harder to secure than individual stadiums.
One planned Fan Festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City was canceled last month and replaced with smaller gatherings. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said smaller events would let more people enjoy the games locally, and people involved in planning cited security as a factor in the change.
Representative Nellie Pou, whose district includes MetLife Stadium where some matches will be played, warned that each of the World Cup’s 104 matches is like a major sporting event in scale. She said local authorities will need every dollar they are eligible to receive and need the money now.
Bottom line
Organizers and law enforcement face a compressed timetable to buy equipment, train staff and coordinate across jurisdictions. Intelligence reports highlight concrete threats, and the delayed release of federal grants has made preparations harder. With matches starting in Mexico on June 11 and in the US and Canada the next day, officials say the next few months will be critical to getting security measures in place.
