FIFA faces demands from U.S. cities over unpaid World Cup funds

U.S. cities that served as hosts for the 2026 World Cup are now actively pursuing FIFA for millions of dollars they claim were promised but remain unpaid. The situation has created a significant financial dispute between soccer's governing body and the municipalities that facilitated the global tournament.

The controversy stems from an announcement made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino prior to the 2025 Club World Cup, also held in the U.S. At that time, Infantino declared that FIFA would provide $1 million in financial assistance to each of the 11 cities that hosted matches. This pledge has now become a focal point for the 2026 World Cup host cities.

Officials from the organizing committees of the American cities assert that FIFA's leadership repeatedly assured them of financial contributions for legacy projects. Despite the lack of a formal public announcement from the federation regarding these specific funds for the 2026 World Cup, the cities are now pressing FIFA to honor what they perceive as commitments made. This escalating demand presents a new challenge for the international soccer organization.

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U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup are chasing FIFA for millions of dollars they believe they were promised by soccer’s governing body which have so far gone unpaid.