**Security Concerns Grow as US Preparations Fall Behind for FIFA World Cup 2026** US preparations for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 are behind schedule, raising concerns about potential security risks at the event. Intelligence briefings from US federal and state officials, as well as FIFA, have warned of the possibility of extremist attacks and civil unrest related to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The FIFA World Cup, one of the world's largest sporting events, is set to take place in June and July 2026 across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Security at such events is typically intense, but US law enforcement officials have been on high alert since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, citing potential retaliatory threats. A $625 million in federal security grants for the event, part of a Republican-backed spending bill passed in July 2025, have been delayed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initially stated that it would allocate the funds by January 30, but after officials and organisers complained about the lack of progress, FEMA announced on Wednesday that the grants had been awarded. The agency stated that the funds would "bolster security preparations." With the first matches set to kick off in Mexico on June 11, followed by the US and Canada the next day, states and cities hosting the events are deep into planning, including measures to safeguard against possible attacks. The delayed funding and threat warnings have complicated an already complex process, according to multiple officials involved. The grant money distribution process typically takes months, and efforts to purchase technology and equipment can take even longer, according to Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association. "It will be extremely tight," he said. Intelligence reports from New Jersey and September 2025 highlighted potential threats to matches in the state, including recent domestic attacks, disrupted terror plots, and a proliferation of extremist propaganda. Another report described an online post encouraging attacks on railroad infrastructure during the World Cup, which stated that there were "plenty of opportunities for us to knock out the enemy." As the event approaches, officials are sounding the alarm about the potential risks and the need for increased security measures. With the World Cup just months away, the US must navigate the complex process of preparing for the event while addressing the growing concerns about security.