John Cornyn Secures Over $116M for Texas World Cup Security Efforts

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) announced that Texas will receive more than $116 million in federal funding to bolster security and public safety ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with major grants awarded to both Dallas and Houston.

The funding, distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Department of Homeland Security's FIFA World Cup Grant Program, includes $51.5 million for the Dallas Host City committee Task Force and $64.6 million for Houston's efforts.

Cornyn said the funding stems from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which included $625 million in security funding for the World Cup host cities nationwide.

"I am proud to have worked with President Trump and my colleagues to secure $625 million in World Cup security funding... to reimburse Dallas and other host cities for developing a robust public safety apparatus ahead of the 2026 games," said Cornyn. "These critical resources will improve law enforcement's ability to manage crowds, identify potential threats, and respond quickly in emergencies."

Both Dallas and Houston are set to play major roles in the tournament. North Texas is expected to host nine matches -- the most of any U.S. host city -- and could see an economic impact exceeding $2 billion, along with millions of visitors.

Houston is scheduled to host seven matches at NRG Stadium and is projected to generate more than $1.5 billion in economic activity.

The grants will support a range of security measures, including planning, training, equipment purchases, and coordination across local, state, and federal agencies. Officials say the funding is also intended to strengthen protections for critical infrastructure and guard against potential terrorist threats during the global event.

Earlier this year, Cornyn convened a roundtable in Dallas focused on law enforcement coordination and preparedness. He has also called on FIFA officials to outline steps being taken to prevent human trafficking before, during, and after the tournament.

With Texas set to host some of the largest World Cup events in the country, the federal funding marks a significant investment in ensuring both safety and operational readiness as millions of fans are expected to travel to the state in 2026.