TEXAS AWARDS $116 MILLION IN FIFA WORLD CUP PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS
March 26, 2026 – AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott announced $116 million in public safety grants to support security efforts tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup matches in Texas, with major funding directed to the Houston area and North Texas.
The grants, administered through the Governor’s Public Safety Office, will go to the City of Houston and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. Officials say the funding is aimed at ensuring safety for millions of المتوقع visitors expected to travel through Texas during the global event.
“The FIFA World Cup coming to Texas gives our state a premier opportunity to showcase all it has to offer,” Abbott said. “These public safety grants will help ensure that travelers can enjoy our great state safely.”
The funding comes from the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, part of a larger federal initiative that allocates $625 million nationwide to host cities. Texas is expected to play a major role, with Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area hosting multiple matches.
Grant money will be used for a wide range of security measures. That includes hiring additional law enforcement personnel, increasing patrol presence in and around stadiums, and covering overtime costs for officers. Funds may also support specialized equipment such as surveillance systems, drones, bomb detection tools, and emergency response vehicles.
In addition, agencies plan to invest in cybersecurity protections, crowd control infrastructure, and coordination centers to monitor threats in real time. Training exercises simulating large-scale emergencies and potential terror threats are also expected to be part of the effort.
The World Cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world, drawing massive international crowds and requiring extensive coordination between local, state and federal agencies. Security planning typically begins years in advance, especially in the wake of global concerns over terrorism and large-scale event safety.
State leaders say the investment will not only protect visitors but also strengthen long-term public safety capabilities in host regions.
As preparations ramp up, officials say the focus remains on ensuring Texas is ready to host the world—safely and securely.
