With the 2026 World Cup looming, a $625m security funding package meant to help US host cities prepare for the global tournament is caught in Washington gridlock — and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pointing the finger squarely at Senate Democrats.

“No funds have been awarded yet under the Fifa World Cup grant program,” Noem wrote Thursday on X, responding to mounting concerns from city officials who say they are running out of time to plan security and fan events. “The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the Fifa World Cup and America 250.”

The grants, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), were authorized last summer to support security and operational planning for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The funding was expected to be distributed to US host cities months ago.

Instead, it remains frozen.

Noem attributed the delay to the ongoing partial government shutdown that has left the Department of Homeland Security unfunded since 13 February. According to her, Fema was in the “final stages” of reviewing applications when the shutdown forced significant portions of its staff onto administrative leave.

Senate Democrats, however, say the funding stalemate stems from unresolved negotiations over immigration policy. They have maintained that DHS will remain unfunded until the Trump administration agrees to new restrictions on immigration and enforcement operations following two fatal shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis last month.

The blame game has done little to reassure host cities, where officials testified earlier this week before Congress that the clock is ticking.

Raymond Martinez, chief operating officer of the Miami host committee, warned lawmakers that critical deadlines are fast approaching.

“We are 107 days out from the tournament, but more importantly we are about 70-something days out from starting to build the fan fest,” Martinez said. “These decisions have to be made, generously, within the next 30 days. Our local agencies are very anxious. Without receiving this money, it would be catastrophic for our planning and coordination.”

New York/New Jersey, Miami and Kansas City officials all expressed concern that delays could force them to scale back or cancel major fan events tied to the tournament.

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Nellie Pou, whose district includes MetLife Stadium — slated to host the World Cup final — sharply rejected Noem’s framing.

“This is simply not true,” Pou wrote on X. “World Cup security funding was enacted into law last summer and these matches have been scheduled for years. DHS’ own notice of funding opportunity of this grant program listed the anticipated award date as ‘no later than January 30, 2026.’ Well before the funding impasse. It’s time for DHS to do its job.”

The impasse underscores the broader dysfunction gripping Congress. On Tuesday, a Senate vote to advance a funding bill failed to reach the 60 votes required. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of refusing to negotiate meaningfully or compromise on key issues.

Meanwhile, host cities remain in limbo.

The World Cup is expected to draw millions of visitors and is considered one of the largest security operations in US history. The 2026 tournament coincides with “America 250,” celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary — further raising the stakes.

No visible progress has been made toward ending the funding stalemate.

For cities racing to finalize security plans, the question is no longer who is to blame — but whether Washington will resolve its dispute before deadlines pass and preparations falter.

With less than four months until critical buildouts begin, the world’s biggest sporting event is now entangled in the capital’s oldest game: political brinkmanship.