ARLINGTON, Texas - ARLINGTON, Texas — The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has been designated to manage and distribute more than $61 million in federal funding to support security, transportation, and operational planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The funding package includes $51.5 million from a larger $625 million Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant program aimed at strengthening security efforts across World Cup host regions, along with an additional $10.03 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to enhance public transportation systems throughout North Texas.
NCTCOG was selected by the North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee and the Office of the Governor to serve as the grant administrator for the FEMA funds, a role formally approved by its Executive Board. In this capacity, the agency will coordinate the distribution of funds to local governments and partner agencies across the region.
Officials said NCTCOG will be responsible for ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements, providing training and guidance to subrecipients, and overseeing reimbursement processes, documentation, and audit readiness in coordination with state and regional stakeholders.
The FEMA funding will primarily be used to support law enforcement and public safety operations, including expanded camera systems, crowd management resources, emergency response coordination, and other security measures needed to handle the large-scale international event.
The $10.03 million in transit funding will focus on improving mobility across the region. Plans include expanded transit service, increased frequency and capacity, and better connectivity to key venues and fan zones to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
North Texas is preparing to host nine matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, including a semifinal match. In addition, Dallas will host the official FIFA Fan Festival at Fair Park, while the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will serve as the International Broadcast Center, acting as a central hub for global media coverage and tournament coordination.
Officials expect millions of visitors to travel to the region during the tournament, making coordinated planning across cities, agencies, and transportation systems critical.
Regional leaders said the funding reflects years of collaboration between local, state, and federal partners to prepare North Texas for the global event and ensure both safety and efficiency during the tournament.
