TSA official shares warning about World Cup travel, but it won’t affect KC
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- TSA warns staffing shortfalls may strain airports during upcoming 2026 World Cup.
- 480+ quit since this shutdown; training (4–6 months) delays checkpoint staffing.
- Kansas City airport likely spared; KCI security handled by contractor VMD Corp.
With the 2026 World Cup just months away, a Transportation Security Administration official warned Wednesday that an influx of travelers to the United States could worsen the situation at airports around the country.
Ha Nguyen McNeill, the TSA Deputy Administrator, told the House Homeland Security Committee that the partial government shutdown has resulted in a mass exodus of TSA workers.
McNeill said more than 480 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began last month, and more than 1,100 left during the 2025 shutdown, according to a story in the Hill.
The World Cup begins 11 weeks from Thursday and McNeill said a “perfect storm” could be brewing at U.S. airports.
“As the shutdown drags on, we fear we will continue to lose talented and experienced employees to other jobs that can provide a steady paycheck,” McNeill said. “Not only is the shutdown decreasing the number of interested candidates, for those we are able to hire, they are required to complete four to six months of training before they are certified to work at checkpoints.
“At this point, newly hired officers will not be able to work on the checkpoint until well after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is a dire situation. We are facing a potential perfect storm of severe staffing shortages and an influx of millions of passengers at our airports for the World Cup games in less than 80 days.”
KCI is exempt
Kansas City International airport likely won’t face the issue McNeill mentioned, because it is not staffed by TSA workers.
KCI’s security is handled by a subcontractor called VMD Corp, and that’s why travelers leaving Kansas City haven’t faced the huge wait times seen at other airports. Some have been stuck in lines for nearly four hours at other airports.
According to KRON-TV, KCI is one of 20 airports that don’t use TSA workers. Others include San Francisco International Airport, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport.
This story includes reporting by The Star’s Rashad Alexander
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 11:02 AM.
