WASHINGTON—Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) warned that Department of Homeland Security preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are behind schedule due to ongoing government shutdown threats. He said DHS cannot adequately plan for an event projected to draw 5.5 million visitors and generate $5 billion in economic activity for United States host cities. Mullin said proactive security measures, like intelligence sharing and threat assessments, require consistent federal funding well in advance of the tournament's June 2026 kickoff.
The security deficit creates a liability for the 11 United States host cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, which have already committed substantial local resources. Corporate sponsors, such as Adidas, Visa and Coca-Cola, have committed hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising and partnership agreements. These global brands rely on robust security infrastructure to protect their image and the millions of event attendees, with any perceived lapse threatening their investments and future sponsorship deals.
A prolonged federal shutdown would freeze funding for critical DHS operations, including intelligence analysis, cybersecurity defenses and personnel training for federal agents. This forces state and municipal law enforcement to shoulder increased security costs, diverting local funds from other essential public services like infrastructure projects or education. The lack of federal support means local police departments must allocate more resources, impacting their regular budgets and staffing levels for over a year leading up to the event.
Lobbyists for major sports organizations, tourism groups and the hospitality industry have already pressed congressional leadership to avoid a shutdown, emphasizing the economic damage. The U.S. Travel Association, for instance, spent $4.5 million on lobbying efforts in 2025, advocating for stable federal funding and robust tourism infrastructure. FIFA itself, which stands to gain billions in broadcasting and sponsorship revenue, maintains a strong lobbying presence in Washington to protect its event interests.
Mullin's comments highlight the direct political cost of budget impasses, linking federal gridlock to tangible security risks for a major international spectacle. The pressure mounts on congressional leaders to resolve funding disputes before preparations for the 2026 tournament fall further behind schedule. Failure to act could jeopardize both national security interests and the billions in potential revenue for United States businesses and host cities, creating a clear political liability for the party in power.
