On October 28, FEMA announced the Fiscal Year 2026 Notices of Funding Opportunity for two major programs: the FIFA World Cup Grant Program and the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program.

Together, they provide more than $1 billion in federal funding to secure the World Cup and strengthen airspace protection.

The FIFA World Cup Grant Program allocates $625 million to 11 U.S. cities hosting matches in 2026. Funds will cover security measures such as training, exercises, staff background checks, cybersecurity defense, and increased police and emergency response for stadiums, hotels, and transport hubs.

A National Security Priority

As part of the announcement, a FEMA spokesperson said:

“Nothing is more important to President Trump than protecting the American people. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, so it must also be the safest. That’s why DHS is already working with host cities to ensure players, staff and attendees are safe from all threats, including terrorist activities and criminal use of drones. By providing federal funding to state and local communities through carefully crafted grant programs, we are ensuring that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans.”

C-UAS Grant Program

The FEMA C-UAS Grant Program will provide $500 million over two fiscal years to counter unlawful drone use. In FY 2026, $250 million will go to nine states and the National Capital Region hosting World Cup and America 250 events. The remaining $250 million will be distributed in FY 2027 to all 56 states and territories to expand national detection and response capacity.

Both programs were created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 and signed into law by President Trump in July.

Application Timeline

Applications for both programs opened on 28 October 2025 and close on 5 December 2025. Notices of Funding Opportunity are available on Grants.gov, and submissions will be processed through FEMA Grants Outcomes.

Post Image Credit: The Brookings Institution