WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), announced that the Host City Committee Task Force for Houston was awarded a federal grant of $64,676,165 to bolster security and public safety preparedness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

“I am proud to have worked with President Trump and my colleagues to secure $625 million in World Cup security funding in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to reimburse Houston and other host cities for developing a robust public safety apparatus ahead of the 2026 games,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These critical resources will improve law enforcement’s ability to manage crowds, identify potential threats, and respond quickly in emergencies to keep fans, visitors, and athletes safe.”

This public safety grant funding was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which Sen. Cornyn supported. Earlier this year, Sen. Cornyn hosted a roundtable in Dallas to highlight the law enforcement partnerships, security planning, and public safety apparatus in place to prepare for the games and protect fans. The World Cup is expected to have a more than $1.5 billion economic impact and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Houston, which is set to host seven FIFA matches at NRG Stadium.

Last spring, Sen. Cornyn sent a letter calling on FIFA officials to ensure they are working to prevent human trafficking before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup and requesting that FIFA share information about the steps it is taking to keep people safe in host cities and what resources they are providing to support communities.

This 2026 FIFA World Cup public safety grant funding will:

• Make funds available to the Host City Committee Task Force in Houston to carry out security activities that support planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises;
• Protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across the Houston area;
• And safeguard Houston against potential terrorist attacks.