US World Cup Host Cities Chase FIFA for Millions in Unpaid Legacy Funds

US cities that hosted 2026 World Cup matches are pressing FIFA for millions of dollars in legacy payments they say were verbally promised but never delivered, according to reporting from The Athletic and The New York Times. Several US cities that staged World Cup matches are pressing FIFA for millions of dollars they say were promised to support football-related infrastructure and community projects, adding to the mounting pressure on president Gianni Infantino.

What the cities say they were promised

Four executives from World Cup cities, speaking anonymously, told the outlet that FIFA management told them they would each receive $1 million in “legacy” funds to build football-related infrastructure and support “social projects”.

The payout was a precedent set at the FIFA Club World Cup last year, which saw Infantino hand out $1 million to each host city for that competition, citing it as a “legacy contribution.” City officials say they were repeatedly told the same treatment would apply this cycle.

Who is still waiting

This year’s host groups still awaiting payment are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, several of which have reached out to FIFA for an update on the money.

Despite those reported verbal assurances, the payments have yet to be made, and FIFA has declined to comment on the matter. The uncertainty has created further complications for host city committees, many of which are now winding down following the conclusion of the tournament.

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A rounding error against $15 billion in revenue

The total $11 million owed is a drop in the bucket compared to the earnings FIFA walked away with this summer, a record-shattering $15 billion, achieved in great part due to the unprecedented ticket pricing and the introduction of commercially-sponsored hydration breaks.

The optics are ugly for FIFA given host cities were already staring down major shortfalls. The 11 US World Cup host cities are facing a collective shortfall of at least $250m, due to a highly restrictive deal from FIFA that may yet see the federal government, as well as local and private funding, have to pick up the costs.

Infantino under fire

The report is the latest black mark for Infantino, who is under fire from European confederation UEFA and some of its counterparts, as well as some within FIFA, over his since-abandoned proposal to open the World Cup to private investment.

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.

Options market and stocks to watch

The dispute is private-body vs. municipal, but the World Cup halo touches several public tickers. Watch for headline sensitivity in:

MCD: FIFA’s primary sponsor exclusivity around food service, which cities blame for blocking local deals, keeps McDonald’s in the frame if backlash grows.

KO: Coca-Cola’s sponsorship footprint and the commercial hydration-break optics make it worth watching as the funding story spreads.

V: Visa remains a top-tier FIFA partner; watch for reputational spillover as scrutiny of Infantino intensifies.

FOX: US broadcast rights holder benefiting from record tournament revenue; any governance shake-up at FIFA could reshape future rights cycles.

MSGS: Venue and event operators tied to host-city economics may see follow-on effects if cities pull back on future FIFA-linked spending.

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