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The World Cup is about 100 days from its official start across North America, and for those traveling around the United States to watch the games, the battle between Senate Democrats and the White House over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is poised to have a big impact if the issue continues to play out as it is.
DHS has been without funding for the past two weeks as negotiations between Senate Democrats and President Trump’s administration have stalled. A White House official told Pakinomist Digital last week that a “serious” offer was made to Senate Democrats, but nothing was agreed upon. On Tuesday Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem faced a grilling from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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USA fans before the USA played Jamaica during the second leg of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Still, the two sides appeared to remain deadlocked, even as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged Democrats to strike a deal this week.
As the DHS warned Americans of lone wolf terror attacks in the US due to the conflict in Iran, it is World Cup fans likely to escape political details for a month that could be most affected.
Trump’s White House Task Force, established to coordinate events with FIFA around the World Cup, was managed by DHS, leaving several U.S. host cities to play critical matches without the proper federal funding and potentially putting Americans and travelers at risk, a source familiar with the matter told Pakinomist Digital.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the largest and most spectacular events in human history, right here in the United States,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Pakinomist Digital. “This event will generate billions of dollars in economic impact and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to our country. The president is focused on making this the biggest World Cup ever while ensuring it is the safest and most secure in history.
“Democrats need to stop playing games and end their DHS shutdown immediately so the great people of America will be able to fully enjoy the experience of this historic World Cup.”
President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC (Emilee Chinn/FIFA via Getty Images)
It is far from the only problem facing DHS in relation to the World Cup.
Critical resources involving the rollout of funds to agencies managed out of DHS have also taken a hit.
FEMA has been slowed in its ability to process payments to U.S. host cities for the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program services have been halted, likely causing headaches for fans trying to make sure they enter the U.S. without issue, and cross-agency training exercises to ensure the safety of World Cup participants until the source can be stopped.
“The Department of Homeland Security is absolutely integral to delivering a safe, secure and successful World Cup,” White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026 Andrew Giuliani told Pakinomist Digital. “From protecting America’s air sovereignty to keeping our cities safe, DHS brings together intelligence, border security, emergency management and coordination with state and local law enforcement across the country.
Fans hold an American flag ahead of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League quarter-final match between Jamaica and USA at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Joe Puetz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“It’s time for Democrats to end the shutdown so DHS can continue its critical mission of protecting the American people and ensuring that everyone who comes here for the World Cup can do so safely and securely.”
Top Republican officials also spoke about the impasse.
“As threats mount and we prepare for major global events on American soil this summer and midterm elections this fall, thousands of employees at agencies like TSA, CISA and FEMA continue to show up every day to keep their fellow Americans safe, but they work without pay,” said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino, RN.Y. “Operational disruptions caused by the shutdown have the potential to undermine the safety of our critical infrastructure and transportation systems, while continued financial uncertainty for staff threatens to cause long-term damage to the department as a whole.
2026 FIFA World Cup IS 100 DAYS OUT! HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
“The World Cup and law enforcement stakeholders testified to the committee last week, warning that delays in federal funding could seriously undermine planning and preparedness for the largest sporting event in history. The House did its part to avoid this unnecessary lapse in DHS funding by passing a bipartisan FY2026 DHS appropriations bill is more vulnerable to our Democrats’ homeland because our policy decisions are vulnerable to our homeland. It is a risk we cannot accept.”
Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, leaves the floor after the House of Representatives failed to elect a new Speaker of the House in the first round of voting at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 17, 2023. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Texas Republican Representative Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amid Special Events, urged Democrats to put the safety of Americans first.
“With the first FIFA World Cup match just 100 days away, now is the time to urgently secure venues, counter drone threats and coordinate law enforcement activities,” McCaul said. “Instead, the Democrats’ shutdown has put much of the important preparation on hold, jeopardizing the safety of millions of Americans and international visitors. In today’s high-threat environment, the stakes are simply too high for partisan gamesmanship.”
Sens. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., repeated the call to end “political games” over the funding debate.
Democrats refused to change their position on funding DHS until changes are made to Trump’s immigration strategy. The joint US-Israeli military operation in Iran does not appear to dampen their demands.
Late. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., was among those who rejected Republican demands.
“We gave fair warning to Republicans that we were serious about reining in what ICE forces are doing. What we’re talking about is accountability,” he told Politico.
“It’s very easy for them to get all of this funded, simply to go along with our common sense proposal on ICE and Border Patrol,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said Tuesday. “As for our negotiations, look, we are still far apart.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., hold a joint news conference at the US Capitol on January 8, 2026. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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At this point, football fans may have to brace themselves for a gnarly slide tackle in the summer as the debate continues between both sides of the aisle.
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