Kansas City receives nearly $80M in federal money for World Cup efforts: details
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- Kansas City secures nearly $80 million federal funding for World Cup security and transit.
- Funds include $59M FIFA grant, $14.2M counter‑UAS, cruisers, and transit/tech buys.
- FIFA controls security; local, state, federal partners (50+ agencies) will assist.
With matches set to begin a little under four months, Kansas City continues to receive funding in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The metro will receive nearly $80 million in federal funds for security and transportation. It is anticipated that hundreds of thousands of fans, many from countries across the globe, will attend the massive international soccer tournament.
The federal money announced Thursday is part of a $625 million Congressional package to support World Cup security efforts nationwide. Some $59 million in federal funds comes from the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, while $14.2 million was earmarked through the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program, which will aid the Kansas City Police Department.
Police will also receive more than $2 million for additional cruisers and aviation technology equipment. The Mid-America Regional Council, meanwhile, will receive nearly $2 million to purchase automated license plate readers.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will get more than $2 million to support its Transit Ambassador Program, which aims to boost transit security during the tournament, and to purchase various public safety technology, including license plate readers, a security camera system, lighting improvements and gunshot detection systems.
In a Thursday news conference at CPKC Stadium, where the team from The Netherlands will hold its base camp, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and other local officials urged those across the region to work together in order to create a secure World Cup experience for fans.
“We have wonderful engagement in every part of our community, northwest, east and south,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “That engagement requires us to have the resources to host this event.”
“We don’t want public safety to be the focus,” Kansas City police chief Stacey Graves said. “We want the public to embrace the World Cup and have a good time.”
The states of Kansas and Missouri have also invested in World Cup security. Missouri previously committed $110 million for, among other needs, stadium modifications, parking and overall organization. Kansas contributed $28 million.
Kansas City will play host to four group-stage World Cup matches in June, as well as two knockout-round matches in July. Four national teams — Argentina, England, The Netherlands and Algeria — will make their base camps in the Kansas City area for the duration of their stay in North America.
What we know about KC’s security plan
For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA, the entity that governs global soccer, is in control of security for all locations.
But local law enforcement agencies will still be very involved. Graves compared and contrasted preparations for the worldwide soccer tournament to other sporting events the city has welcomed, such as the NFL Draft and Chiefs and Royals championship parades.
“This one is different,” Graves said. “Not only are we working in the public safety area and with plans and how many people we need for each event, we’re working with all of our partners, all public safety emergency responders.
“But also we’re working with transportation, public works. We’re working hand-in-hand, like we always do, but even more so with all of our city departments. It is all hands on deck. I’ve never seen anything like this, and it’s actually wonderful to see everybody come together for one common mission.”
A command post bus parked at the World War I Museum, the location of FIFA’s Fan Fest, will serve as KCPD’s security center. Local and out-of-state agencies are expected to assist with security, as are National Guard soldiers.
More than 50 federal, state and local agencies are expected to be involved, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Asked a question about potential ICE presence at games, Graves did not address it. She instead focused on thanking Cleaver and discussing how federal funding will make the city safer and aid local police.
“To answer your question very clearly, this is to keep Kansas City safe,” Graves said. “As you can see, for police cruisers or technology equipment, even things that aren’t listed with KCPD, those are different points that will feed into public safety as a whole.”
