January 26 – The US House of Representatives has approved $100 million in federal funding to support transit agencies in host cities ahead of the World Cup, underscoring the federal government’s role in delivering the largest sporting event ever staged.
The funding was announced by Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus and reflects growing recognition in Washington that World Cup infrastructure demands extend well beyond local budgets.
The investment follows a Capitol Hill briefing hosted by Davids, who represents Kansas City, where transportation leaders from across the country outlined the scale of operational, staffing and infrastructure challenges facing host regions. With tens of thousands of visitors expected to move daily between airports, stadiums and fan zones, lawmakers were urged to view transit funding as essential national event support rather than discretionary local spending.
“With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be the largest sporting event in history, this $100 million investment ensures fans can get to every match safely and efficiently,” said Davids.
“But it’s also about more than just moving people – it’s about supporting local communities, strengthening transit systems for generations to come, and making sure this historic tournament leaves a lasting benefit long after the final whistle. I’m hopeful that all levels of government will continue working together to make this an incredible success for everyone involved.”
The funding was included in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill, which allocates $100,250,212 for eligible planning, capital and operating expenses tied to World Cup matches and related public events in domestic host cities.
The measure passed with bipartisan backing, highlighting rare cross-party alignment around the tournament’s national importance.
“As Georgia prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the more than $9 million in transit funding will help ensure that visitors and fans from around the world experience the warm hospitality the South is known for,” said Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA-01). “Having successfully hosted international events in the past, Georgia is well-prepared to put these transportation dollars to work to deliver a seamless, world-class event that fans will remember for a lifetime.”
Beyond matchdays, host cities must manage continuous fan activity and meet FIFA’s stringent operational requirements, including airport capacity standards. Federal officials love to tout the projected economic impact and the figures, if they come to pass, would be impressive with 185,000 full-time jobs, $30.5 billion in gross output, and $17.2 billion in GDP.
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