World Cup host cities warn Congress over security concerns
ESPN • • nation
Key Points:
- Local officials from World Cup host cities warned Congress that security risks, poor coordination, and frozen federal funding threaten the safety of the games with just over 100 days remaining before kickoff.
- The House Homeland Security Committee heard testimony emphasizing the urgent need to release $625 million in FEMA funds earmarked for security enhancements and drone threat mitigation.
- Coordination challenges among local agencies and federal partners complicate planning for transportation, fan events, and stadium security amid concerns over drone threats, human trafficking, ICE presence, and nearby cartel violence.
- Miami officials warned that without approximately $70 million in federal funds, critical events like the Fan Fest could be canceled due to inadequate security preparations.
- The partial government shutdown has halted FEMA grant processing, delaying
