Three weeks after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, the 11 US cities that hosted matches are still waiting for millions of dollars in payments promised by FIFA.
According to the British newspaper The Athletic, football’s world governing body has yet to make the money owed to the host cities available. The dispute represents another source of controversy for FIFA and places its president, Gianni Infantino, at the centre of a fresh crisis.
Infantino had promised each of the 11 American host cities a contribution of $1m. However, the cities are continuing to pursue FIFA for the payments and have so far received no response, according to the report.
The funding was announced as a way of helping the host cities meet the substantial costs they incurred while staging the tournament over a 39-day period.
The 2026 World Cup became the largest edition in the competition’s history. It featured an increased number of participating national teams and produced the highest number of matches ever played at a World Cup.
Despite the tournament’s scale, the promised financial support has not yet reached the cities involved in hosting it. Four senior officials from local organising committees provided details of the dispute to The Athletic.
“We have repeatedly informed FIFA that the cities would receive equal compensation for the use of the stadiums,” they said.
The officials chose not to reveal their identities because they feared damaging their relationships with FIFA. They confirmed that, as of now, none of them had received the promised financial compensation.
The dispute adds to the pressure on FIFA over the financial arrangements surrounding the expanded World Cup. The host cities had expected the contribution announced by Infantino to help offset the heavy expenses linked to preparing venues and supporting the tournament throughout its 39-day schedule.
FIFA has not yet paid the outstanding sums, according to the report, leaving the American cities seeking clarification over when the money will be transferred. Their repeated attempts to secure the compensation have so far produced no response.
The allegations also place renewed attention on the commitments made by FIFA’s leadership before and during the tournament. Infantino’s pledge of $1m for each city created an expectation that the financial burden of hosting matches would be shared more evenly.
But with three weeks having passed since the end of the competition, the host cities remain without the payments they say were promised. The local officials’ decision to speak anonymously underlines the sensitivity of the issue, with each seeking to avoid harming its ongoing relationship with FIFA.
The 2026 World Cup’s unprecedented size increased the demands placed on the cities that staged matches. They are now seeking the fulfilment of the financial commitment made to them, while FIFA continues to face questions over why the payments have not been made.
