World Cup 2026: U.S. host cities reportedly chasing FIFA for millions promised by association
In 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised $1 million to each of the cities hosting the FIFA Club World Cup that year. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. cities scheduled to host games reportedly asked whether they would also receive $1 million for hosting games and were allegedly told that would be the case.
Those payments, however, never came, leading to those U.S. cities chasing down FIFA for the $1 million they believe they are owed, per The Athletic.
Four executives on U.S. host city committees all told The Athletic that FIFA management continually assured those $1 million contributions would come. Despite that, FIFA did not make any public statements about giving host cities $1 million, per The Athletic.
"The four executives said this promise was made verbally by members of FIFA's senior management, and reiterated to cities in meetings, but it has not been paid, meaning several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments."
A total of 12 U.S. cities hosted games during the 2026 World Cup. They include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.
FIFA reportedly made roughly $15 billion in revenue during the 2026 World Cup cycle.
FIFA declined to comment when reached by The Athletic.
The report comes with Infantino already under fire by various governing bodies after his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors leaked. That proposal was roundly rejected, leading to FIFA walking it back.
Though FIFA scrapped the idea, Infantino remains under fire. UEFA announced a boycott of the World Cup over the issue. Concacaf has put out multiple statements criticizing Infantino.
The issue took another turn Monday, as both the Welsh and English FAs announced they would not support Infantino's re-election in 2027. Infantino is up for re-election as FIFA president in March 2027.
He might not even make it that long. There are reports that some want Infantino out now. There are a few ways that can happen, including Infantino resigning from his position. He's shown no desire to make that move just yet.
If Infantino is unwilling to resign, he can be forced out if 43 member associations trigger a vote of no confidence against him. While that hasn't happened yet, increased pressure on both Infantino and FIFA could lead to more unrest among the member associations, eventually leading some to take the next step in removing Infantino from his position.
