Dallas will receive more than $5.5 million in federal money to help cover public-safety costs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, part of a broader $625 million grant program awarded to 11 host cities across nine states.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the allocations last week. The grants are intended to support security drills, background checks, stronger cybersecurity, and increased police and emergency response at venues and hotels as North Texas prepares for an influx of millions of soccer fans.
Texas will receive a combined $116,260,492 through the program. Dallas is slated for $51,584,327, while Houston will receive $64,676,165. Other major host cities include Miami, which received the largest share at $73,698,993, and Atlanta at $73,390,940.
Of the $51.5 million received by Dallas, more than $22 million will go to the city’s police department to prepare to protect Dallas at the highest level, according to DPD Beat. More than $1.3 million has been allocated to purchase equipment, such as anti-ramming barricades, utility vehicles, and cameras, to strengthen the city’s network, as well as to lease vehicles to support the scale of security required for the massive sporting event.
DPD has received an additional $10 million through the Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Grant Program.
“In recent years, criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of unmanned aircraft systems, also known as ‘drones,’” FEMA said in a news release. “With C-UAS Grant Program funds, FIFA World Cup host cities can strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate the unlawful use of this technology.
Dallas police said the department is working with local, state, and federal partners to prepare for the international event.
“As one of the premier host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Dallas is ready to take the global stage,” Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux said, per NBC 5 DFW. “This funding is a critical investment in public safety and ensures we have the resources, training, and coordination in place to deliver a secure and successful event.”
The money will strengthen the department’s security operations and enhance its ability to protect residents and visitors alike, officials added.