Dallas And Houston Receive $116M In FEMA Funds For 2026 World Cup

The two Texas cities will host a combined 16 matches during the global soccer tournament.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:52pm

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature several matches in Texas, with Dallas hosting 9 games and Houston hosting 7. The federal government, through FEMA, is providing over $116 million in funding to the two cities to bolster public safety and security during the influx of international visitors expected for the tournament.

Why it matters

This is a major opportunity for Texas to showcase its cities on the global stage, but also presents logistical challenges around accommodating large crowds and ensuring the safety of players, fans, and residents. The FEMA funding is critical to helping the host cities prepare adequately.

The details

FEMA announced it will allocate $625 million across all 9 U.S. states hosting 2026 World Cup matches, with Texas receiving over $116 million of that to support Dallas and Houston. The funds will go towards security, crowd control, and other public safety measures to handle the expected influx of international visitors. Dallas will host 9 matches starting June 14, while Houston will host 7 matches also beginning on June 14.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June to July 2026.
  • Dallas will host its first match on June 14, 2026 with the Netherlands vs. Japan.
  • Houston will host its first match on June 14, 2026 with Germany vs. Curacao.

The players

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is providing $625 million in funding to support public safety and security for the 2026 World Cup matches across the United States.

FIFA

The international governing body of association football, which is organizing the 2026 World Cup tournament that will feature matches in Texas.

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What’s next

With the federal funding secured, Dallas and Houston will now work to finalize their plans and preparations to host the influx of international visitors and fans for the 2026 World Cup matches.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Cup represents a major opportunity for Texas to showcase its cities on a global stage, but also requires significant coordination and resources to ensure a safe and successful event for all involved. The FEMA funding is a critical step in helping the host cities meet this challenge.