Rabat – Host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are demanding millions of dollars from FIFA after the governing body of world football allegedly failed to deliver promised “legacy contributions” intended to support tournament-related projects.
According to The Athletic, FIFA pledged financial support to the 11 U.S. host cities to help fund projects linked to the tournament. However, the cities say they have yet to receive the promised payments, despite previous assurances that the money would be disbursed.
Before the start of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that each host city would receive a $1 million financial contribution as part of the tournament’s legacy program.
As a result, the 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup expected to receive similar financial support, given their much larger role in staging the tournament.
The cities have invested heavily in infrastructure, security, transportation, and other operational costs during the 39-day competition, leading local officials to question why the promised legacy contributions have not yet been paid.
The Athletic cited four executive officials from the host cities’ organizing committees, who said FIFA officials repeatedly assured the cities that each would receive a $1 million financial compensation, similar to the payments made ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, global football’s governing body has yet to issue any official announcement confirming the payments, leaving the host cities still waiting for the promised funds.
