World Cup security warnings and funding delays confuse US preparations

Intelligence reports warned of potential security risks that may target the FIFA World Cup tournament scheduled for next June and July, at a time when the delay in disbursing federal financial allocations has slowed the pace of preparations within the United States.

The documents, issued by federal and state officials, as well as the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), indicate the possibility of attacks targeting transportation networks or mass gatherings, as well as fears of civil unrest linked to American immigration policies.

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the next edition of the tournament, the first matches of which will begin on June 11 in Mexico, with the United States and Canada matches starting the next day.

American officials have raised the level of security alert in recent months, in light of escalating international tensions, including the repercussions of the war on Iran, with estimates of the possibility of carrying out retaliatory attacks.

In the same context, local officials and organizers complained about the delay in disbursing $625 million allocated to enhance security, which is money that was included in a federal spending project approved in July 2025. Although the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced in November its intention to distribute the funding before the end of January, the allocations were not disbursed until after recent media inquiries, as the agency confirmed this week that it had begun transferring them.

An intelligence report issued by the state of New Jersey in December 2025, in turn, monitored the escalation of extremist propaganda and attempts to carry out attacks, warning of unorganized gatherings that may arise as a result of tensions between fans of different teams.

Officials also expressed concern about the “FIFA Fan Festival” events, which attract large numbers in open spaces. A major event in Jersey City has already been canceled and replaced with smaller gatherings, a decision partly due to security considerations.

Political differences within Washington cast a shadow over the file, as officials from both parties exchanged accusations regarding responsibility for delaying funding, amid controversy related to immigration policies and their implementation.

As the tournament approaches, the host cities face a complex challenge that combines the pressure of time and the complexities of the security landscape, in one of the largest sporting events in the world.