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Shwetha yesndran
Multiple Authors
Local authorities from cities hosting the World Cup alerted Congress on Tuesday that security issues, coordination challenges, and insufficient federal funding are leading to potential disasters with just over 100 days to go before the games commence.
Witnesses joined House Homeland Security Committee members in emphasizing the urgent need to release FEMA funding designated for the security requirements of host cities.
Officials testified that local agencies are struggling to coordinate effectively with one another and the federal government as they finalize intricate security details regarding transportation, accommodations, fan activities, and training locations, in addition to the stadiums themselves.
Threats from drones, human trafficking, the involvement of ICE agents at games, and the recent violence from drug cartels in Mexico are contributing to a precarious situation highlighted by both the witnesses and committee members.
They expressed their concerns on the eleventh day of a freeze on funding from the Homeland Security Department, following fatal shootings of American citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis. This department also administers the Federal Emergency Management Agency funds necessary for World Cup security.
The federal government had previously allocated $625 million for the eleven U.S. host cities “to enhance security and preparedness” and $250 million “to bolster their capacity to detect, identify, track, or mitigate” drone threats, according to FEMA’s website. The inability of the government to release these funds significantly hampers security planning.
The FIFA World Cup is set to start on June 11 in Mexico City, with Los Angeles hosting the first U.S. match on June 12 and New York and New Jersey holding the final on July 19. Recent violence from drug cartels near host city Guadalajara has intensified worries about Mexico’s capacity to secure its venues.
“I believe that if we had this conversation two years ago, we’d be in a better position,” testified Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association. “… yet, as we approach these games, we are far from having the necessary capabilities.”
Events like the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will challenge homeland security like never before in decades, according to Sena, who noted that coordination issues among local agencies have exacerbated security difficulties.
“For large-scale events like this, such an approach raises serious risks that could go unaddressed,” Sena stated.
Ray Martinez, chief operating officer for the Miami World Cup host committee, remarked that without the approximately $70 million in federal funds Miami has applied for, the end of March would signal a “drop dead date” for canceling plans due to insufficient security, starting with Fan Fest concert events planned around the games.
“We are 107 days away from the tournament but, more critically, we are about 70-something days from starting to set up the Fan Fest. These decisions must be made,” Martinez stated. “…Without this funding, our planning and coordination could face catastrophic consequences.”
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Florida) noted that FEMA staff responsible for processing grants are currently not working due to the partial shutdown, and that the funding will “not arrive until the government reopens.”
Republicans criticized their Democratic counterparts on the committee for blocking the votes necessary to release the funds.
Joseph Mabin, deputy chief for Kansas City police, mentioned that access to the funding is “essential” for his city to recruit additional personnel ahead of the World Cup, stating that his department lacks sufficient staff to address all security threats. Kansas City is set to host six games and act as a base camp for four teams.
Salaries for many involved in the planning and coordination are also “contingent” on the frozen funds, according to Travis Nelson, deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser to the Maryland governor.
Nelson labeled this moment as “critical,” likening it to a Jenga game where a single wrong move “could bring the entire structure crashing down.”
Recently, local officials in Foxborough, Massachusetts, sought clarity regarding an estimated $8 million needed for public safety during this summer’s World Cup games at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.
The White House World Cup Task Force led by Andrew Giuliani did not respond to ESPN’s request for comment in a timely manner.
