FILE-A general view shows the interior of MetLife Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)
The 2026 World Cup is in the books and now host cities in the United States are turning their attention to FIFA as they seek funds the cities claimed were promised to them by soccer’s governing body.
Ahead of the Club World Cup in 2025 held in the U.S., FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the soccer organization would contribute $1 million to each of the 11 cities nationwide who were hosting matches during the club tournament.
According to The Athletic, the fund was referred to as a “legacy contribution,” with Infantino saying that the money would be allocated to build mini-pitches and support “social projects.”
U.S. cities claim FIFA owes them money
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When FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the announcement about the monetary contribution, U.S. cities set to hold the 2026 World Cup matches inquired if they would receive the same $1 million contribution for the more costly role of hosting multiple games across 39 days during the World Cup.
Four executives at U.S. host city committees who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Athletic told the sports media outlet that FIFA management assured the cities they would receive the same $1 million contrition towards legacy.
The Athletic reported that the four executives claim this guarantee was made verbally by members of FIFA’s senior management, and repeated to cities in meetings, but it has not been paid, meaning several cities are now requesting FIFA employees for updates on the payments.
This year’s World Cup matches in the U.S. were hosted by Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, Miami and Boston.
According to The Athletic, the U.S. host cities’ responsibilities also entailed special access traffic line and police escorts for FIFA-designated VIPs, six-figure costs of making “clean stadiums” and wiping any signs of non-FIFA branding, and an extra $13 million to ensure MetLife Stadium had a marketing pitch worthy of hosting the World Cup final on July 19.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by The Athletic, which cites comments from four executives at U.S. host city committees who spoke on condition of anonymity. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.
