Two Texas Host Cities Receive $116 Million for FIFA World Cup Preparations

If you haven't heard already, two major Texas cities will host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches later this year. In addition to the global attention our state will be getting, both cities will also be receiving over $116 million in federal funds. Here's why.

What Are the Funds Actually For?

Before you ask, no, the funds are not going towards personalized cowboy hats for every player and fan. The $116 million is actually from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to bolster public safety during what's expected to be a VERY crowded time of year.

FEMA announced that they will be allocating a whopping $625 million for all nine U.S. states hosting matches during the FIFA World Cup this year. The agency hopes these funds will go towards security and ensuring all visitors are safe as they flock in from all over the world.

Besides Texas, the eight other host states are California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Texas Cities Hosting the World Cup

For the first time since 1994, Dallas will be hosting several matches in the World Cup. To be exact, there will be nine matches played in Dallas this year, starting with the Netherlands vs. Japan on June 14. England vs. Croatia will follow shortly thereafter on June 17.

In a historical twist, Houston will serve as a World Cup host city for the very first time. A total of seven games will be played in Houston, beginning on June 14 with Germany vs. Curacao.

You can see the full game schedule for the 2026 World Cup on the FIFA website. With so many matches being in our great state, it's worth a look to see if you can attend any of them!