World Cup fans caught in the middle of DHS funding debate

There are about 100 days until the World Cup officially begins in North America, and for those traveling across the United States to watch the games, the fight between Senate Democrats and the White House over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is about to have a major impact if the issue continues as it is.

DHS has been underfunded for the past two weeks as negotiations between Senate Democrats and President Trump’s administration stalled. A White House official told Pak Gazette Digital last week that a “serious” offer was made to Senate Democrats, but no deal was reached. On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Kristi Noem faced grilling from the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Still, the two sides appeared to remain deadlocked even as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called on Democrats to reach a deal this week.

As DHS warned Americans about lone wolf terrorist attacks in the United States due to the conflict in Iran, World Cup fans who are likely looking to escape the political minutiae for a month could be hit harder.

The Trump White House Task Force, which was established to coordinate events with FIFA surrounding the World Cup, was managed outside of DHS, leaving several American host cities scheduled to host critical games without adequate federal funding and potentially putting Americans and travelers at risk, a source familiar with the matter told Pak Gazette 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 of America,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Pak Gazette Digital. “This event will generate billions of dollars of economic impact and bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to our country. The President is focused on making this the largest World Cup in history while ensuring it is the safest in history.

“Democrats must stop playing games and immediately end the DHS shutdown, so that the great people of the United States can 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 drawing 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 regarding the World Cup.

Critical resources related to the distribution of funds to agencies managed outside of DHS have also been affected.

FEMA has been delayed 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 a headache for those fans trying to ensure they enter the U.S. safely, and interagency training exercises to ensure the safety of World Cup attendees may be suspended until funding arrives, the source said.

“The Department of Homeland Security is absolutely essential to achieving a safe and successful World Cup,” Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Andrew Giuliani, told Pak Gazette 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 authorities across the country.

Fans hold an American flag before the 2024 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal second leg match between Jamaica and the United States 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.”

Senior Republican officials also spoke out about the stalemate.

“As threats increase and we prepare for major global events on American soil this summer and the midterm elections this fall, thousands of employees from agencies like TSA, CISA and FEMA continue to show up every day to keep their fellow Americans safe, but they are working 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 security 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.

100 DAYS TO GO UNTIL THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP! THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

“World Cup stakeholders and law enforcement testified before the Committee last week, warning that delays in federal funding could severely undermine planning and preparation for the largest sporting event in history. The House did its job to prevent this unnecessary lapse in DHS funding by passing a bipartisan FY 2026 DHS appropriations bill. Because of the Democrats’ political decision, our homeland is more vulnerable to threats, and that is a risk that we cannot accept.”

Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, leaves the floor after the House of Representatives failed to elect a new House speaker in the first round of voting at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 17, 2023. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Task Force on Protecting the Homeland Amid Special Events, called on Democrats to put the safety of Americans first.

“With just 100 days until the first match of the FIFA World Cup, now is the time to urgently secure venues, counter drone threats and coordinate law enforcement activities,” McCaul said. “Instead, the Democratic shutdown has much of that vital preparation on hold, jeopardizing the safety of millions of Americans and international visitors. In today’s high-threat environment, the stakes are high for partisan games.”

Sens. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., echoed the call to end “political games” in the funding debate.

Democrats have refused to change their positions on DHS funding until changes are made to Trump’s immigration strategy. The joint US-Israeli military operation in Iran does not appear to moderate its demands.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., was among those who rejected the Republican demands.

“We gave fair warning to Republicans that we really wanted to rein in what ICE forces are doing. What we’re talking about is accountability,” he told Politico.

“It’s very easy for them to get funding for all of this, just to accept our common sense proposals on ICE and Border Patrol,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Tuesday. “In terms of our negotiations, look, we are still very far apart.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., hold a joint press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 8, 2026. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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At this point, football fans may have to prepare for a tough entry into the summer as the debate continues between both sides of the aisle.

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