Ahead Of The FIFA World Cup 2026, FEMA Rapidly Awards $250 Million To Secure U.S. Skies.

Washington; December 2025: Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $250 million to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and to the National Capital Region through the new Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program. Recipients can use this money to strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems, also known as “drones”. This program aligns with the Trump-Vance Administration’s initiative to protect the public from hostile drones during mass gathering events, as outlined in the Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty.

On June 06, 2025, the Honourable President Donald Trump has signed Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty; wherein in Section 9 it has been reiterated that:

• Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall explore integrating counter-UAS operational responses as part of Joint Terrorism Task Forces for the purpose of protecting mass gathering events.

• The Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense; the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the FAA; the Secretary of Homeland Security; the Director of OMB; and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, shall promptly take all appropriate steps to implement the recommendations of the March 2022 Feasibility Report to Congress with regard to the creation of the National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Center), and, upon establishment of the Center, focus initial training provided by the Center on development of Federal and SLTT capabilities to secure major upcoming national and international sporting events held in the United States, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

In recent years, criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of this technology. With today’s C-UAS Grant Program award—along with the new authorities granted in the SAFER SKIES Act—state and local law enforcement agencies now have the tools they need to keep their communities safe. This is especially critical as officials across the country prepare for the United States to host the FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be the largest sporting event in world history.

Over the next 3 years, the United States will host numerous major events that necessitate new authorities to combat emerging security threats. The Act includes the critical SAFER SKIES Act, which provides State and local law enforcement with the authority to protect against unmanned aircraft when they present a threat to the public and creates a new felony offense for a second violation of national defense airspace. In addition, the Act provides key resources to ensure the continued security of the southern border from illegal immigration and transnational criminal organisations.

“We knew we needed to act quickly to keep the World Cup safe from the rising threat of unmanned aircraft systems and that’s exactly what we did”, said a FEMA Spokesperson. “This is the fastest non-disaster grant program ever executed by FEMA with funds being awarded just 26 days after the application deadline. This efficiency is a testament to the Administration’s laser-focus on cutting red tape, getting resources into the hands of law enforcement, and protecting the American people”.

The C-UAS Grant Program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. Through this program, DHS is providing $500 million in federal funding over two years to enhance state and local capabilities to combat unmanned aircraft systems. Today’s announcement is for the first $250 million, awarded to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as to the National Capital Region which is hosting America 250 national events. Next year, the remaining $250 million will be distributed to all U.S. states and territories with an expanded focus on building detection and response capacity nationwide. This design demonstrates that the Trump Administration is working to keep Americans secure as they attend historic events across the nation while also building stronger, longer-term protections against drone threats.

This announcement comes after a critical evaluation of all FEMA grant programs and recipients. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, FEMA has become a responsible steward of taxpayers’ dollars. The agency instituted sweeping reforms to its grant programs, eliminating egregious waste, fraud, and abuse that has been happening for decades. Its grant programs are now carefully crafted to ensure that that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans.

FEMA announced the Fiscal Year 2026 C-UAS Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity on October 28, 2025.

“Nothing is more important to President Trump than protecting the American people”, said a FEMA spokesperson. “The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, so it must also be the safest. That’s why DHS is already working with host cities to ensure players, staff and attendees are safe from all threats, including terrorist activities and criminal use of drones. By providing federal funding to state and local communities through carefully crafted grant programs, we are ensuring that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans”.

In addition to the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, DHS also announced the funding opportunity for the new C-UAS Grant Program, which will provide $500 million to communities across the country over two fiscal years. States can use this funding to aggressively combat the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems—also known as “drones”—that endanger the safety, security and lives of the American people. In FY 2026, DHS will award $250 million to nine states and the National Capital Region hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 and America 250 national events. The remaining $250 million will be distributed in FY 2027 to all 56 states and territories with an expanded focus on building national detection and response capacity.

Team Maverick.