World Cup host cities warn Congress over security concerns - ESPN

ESPN

by Shwetha Surendran

February 25, 2026

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Local officials from World Cup host cities have raised serious concerns about security, coordination, and funding issues with Congress, warning of potential risks to the event's success as it approaches. With just over 100 days until the tournament begins, they emphasized that inadequate federal support and logistical challenges could lead to significant problems, including threats like drone attacks, human trafficking, and cartel violence in Mexico. Witnesses testified before the House Homeland Security Committee about the urgent need for FEMA funds to address these issues, which have been frozen due to a government shutdown. The security planning process has faced major hurdles, with local agencies struggling to coordinate with each other and federal authorities. Specific concerns include managing transportation hubs, hotels, fan events, and stadium security. Additional challenges have arisen from the presence of ICE agents at games and recent violence in Mexico near host cities like Guadalajara. Witnesses also highlighted the lack of resources to combat drone threats, which are a critical concern for event organizers. Ray Martinez from Miami revealed that without $70 million in federal funds, his city would face a "drop dead date" by March, potentially leading to cancellations of key events like Fan Fest concerts. Similarly, Joseph Mabin from Kansas City testified about the need for additional personnel to handle security threats, while Travis Nelson from Maryland stressed the importance of unfrozen funds for salaries and planning. These funding issues have left local agencies unable to meet basic security requirements. The World Cup and upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will test U.S. homeland security infrastructure on an unprecedented scale. Mike Sena of the National Fusion Center Association warned that poor coordination between agencies could leave critical risks unaddressed

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/25/2026