Multiple US cities that hosted 2026 World Cup matches are chasing FIFA for millions of dollars in payments they say were promised to them but have not been paid, according to a report by The Athletic.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced before the 2025 Club World Cup that soccer's governing body would contribute $1 million to each of the 11 US cities hosting matches at that tournament, describing it as a "legacy contribution" to help build mini-pitches and support social projects.
After Infantino's pledge, the cities set to host the 2026 World Cup asked whether they would receive the same windfall for the far more costly job of staging multiple games across the 39-day tournament.
Four unnamed executives at US host city committees claim FIFA "repeatedly assured" them they would get the same $1 million contribution, even though the governing body never made a public statement on the matter. The executives allege the promise was made verbally by members of FIFA's senior management and then repeated to them in meetings, yet it still has not been paid more than two weeks after the final.
Cities left chasing answers
Several cities are now chasing FIFA staff for updates on the payments, another blow for Infantino as he faces calls to step down over his failed bid to sell off the World Cup to private investors. The Daily Mail has approached FIFA for comment.
The United States had 11 host cities at this summer's World Cup: Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, Miami and Boston.
FIFA's alleged failure to make the payment is causing difficulty for cities now winding down post-tournament operations, as they are unsure which area is best to invest the $1 million in if they eventually receive it. Other cities are drawing up financial reports for their local jurisdictions and authorities but do not know whether to include the payment.
FIFA's multibillion-dollar revenue
FIFA's operating budget for the tournament was believed to be around $2.7 billion. Two unnamed host city executives reportedly found it "difficult to understand" how an organisation with revenues in excess of $15 billion from 2023 to 2026 has been unable to make $1 million payments to each city.
FIFA took the lion's share of revenue from World Cup ticketing, media rights, sponsorship, concessions and parking, while cities covered costs tied to transportation, safety and security at stadiums, Fan Fest sites, airports and competition vehicles.
US taxpayers also contributed to direct and indirect costs of the tournament. According to The Athletic, the Kansas City host committee claims to have received $42.5 million from the State of Missouri, $28 million from the State of Kansas, $14.8 million from Kansas City, Missouri, and $1.5 million from other public sources, totalling almost $87 million in public investment. It also reported $59.52 million in federal security assistance and $13.3 million in federal grants for transportation.
Host city obligations included creating special access traffic lanes and police escorts for FIFA-designated VIPs, and six-figure costs for producing "clean stadiums" showing only FIFA branding. There was also a $13 million outlay to ensure MetLife Stadium in New Jersey had a suitable pitch to host the final on July 19.
Infantino's battle to save his job
The report comes as Infantino prepares for crunch talks with the White House in a bid to save his job following his failed attempt to sell off the World Cup. Infantino has led FIFA, football's global governing body, since 2016.
He sparked an open revolt after The Times first revealed his plan to sell a $4.2 billion (£3.1 billion) stake in FIFA's flagship tournament to a private equity firm led by Joshua Kushner. The proposal has since been scrapped following opposition from UEFA, European football's governing body, along with the North, Central America and Caribbean confederation, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation, the AFC.
The New York Post has claimed Infantino is now turning to his biggest ally, Donald Trump, for help. The paper reported he was due to hold a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 9am EST (2pm BST) on Monday as pressure grows on him to resign.
An insider told the Post: "He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America. But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point."
A second source described Infantino as feeling "isolated" by the "avalanche" of negativity surrounding his now-doomed plans. "He is looking for allies of note to publicly support him," the source said.
FIFA and White House deny call took place
The Daily Mail has reached out to FIFA and the White House for comment. On X, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson denied any call was scheduled, writing: "There are no plans for [Marco Rubio] to speak with Infantino and there is no call this morning. [The New York Post] should check their sources or they could have just asked us."
On Tuesday, a FIFA spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "The FIFA President has not made any call to the U.S President, or any members of his administration, in recent days. It is pure fiction."
