FIFA still owes $11 million to U.S. World Cup host cities after 2026 tournament

After the 2026 World Cup concluded, representatives from eleven American host cities confirmed they are still awaiting the $1 million “legacy contribution” each was promised by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The cities—including Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey, Miami and Boston—were told the funds would be paid, but FIFA has not issued a public statement on the matter.

Four executives from the local organizing committees told one outlet that FIFA repeatedly reassured them about the payouts. More than three weeks later, the promised $11 million remains unpaid despite the tournament generating over $15 billion in revenue and operating on a $2.7 billion budget. Some hosts, such as Kansas City, have already tapped state resources to cover shortfalls. Observers criticize the reliance on verbal promises and highlight the discrepancy between the event’s profits and the unpaid legacy sums.