Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS FEMA FWCGP 160
The FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP) is a standalone federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate (GPD). Its purpose is to strengthen security and overall preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in the United States. The program is built around the reality that the World Cup is an unusually large, high-profile event with complex threat and safety considerations, and it aims to ensure host jurisdictions have the resources to plan for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from a wide range of security incidents, including potential terrorist attacks. The program recognizes the World Cup's scale: it is co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, is expected to bring more than five million international visitors, and is projected to generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity across 11 U.S. host cities during a 38-day period.
A key driver behind the funding is that all 78 U.S.-based matches are designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level I or II events, which indicates a high level of national significance and elevated security requirements. This classification typically implies extensive multi-agency coordination, heightened protective measures, and substantial operational planning across venues and surrounding areas. The program also reflects a broader federal approach that has historically supported security for other major international events, such as the Olympics, where local and state capabilities need to be reinforced to meet the demands of global attention, large crowds, and sophisticated threat environments.
In terms of who can apply, eligibility is limited to state governments. Funds flow first through governor-designated State Administrative Agencies (SAAs), which serve as the official pass-through entities for the program. From there, the money is intended to reach Host City Committee Task Forces associated with the 11 host cities, and those task forces are expected to issue subawards to local units of government. In practice, this structure is designed to ensure the dollars end up supporting the on-the-ground public safety and security operations that cities and local agencies will actually execute, while still maintaining statewide oversight and compliance with federal grant management requirements.
The overall program funding level is listed at $625 million. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, uses a grant funding instrument, and is identified under Assistance Listing (CFDA) number 97.160. The specific opportunity number is DHS FEMA FWCGP 160. The notice indicates an award ceiling of $74,000,000 and anticipates making nine awards, which suggests the funding may be distributed in larger allocations to a subset of states or statewide administering entities tied to host city needs and planning structures. The application closing date shown is 2025-12-05, indicating that the award process is set up far enough in advance to allow jurisdictions to build and test security plans, procure or stage needed capabilities, and coordinate across agencies ahead of the 2026 tournament.
Overall, the FWCGP is essentially a targeted security and preparedness investment tied specifically to the 2026 FIFA World Cup footprint in the United States. It is designed to help host jurisdictions protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and supporting critical infrastructure, while improving readiness for the unique surge in people, media attention, and potential threat activity that comes with an event of this magnitude.Apply for DHS FEMA FWCGP 160
- The Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.160.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-11-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $74,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP) FAQs
What is the FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP)?
The FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP) is a standalone federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA's Grant Programs Directorate (GPD). It is focused on strengthening security and overall preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in the United States.
What is the main purpose of the FWCGP?
The program is intended to help host jurisdictions plan for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from a wide range of security incidents connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the possibility of terrorist attacks. The overall goal is to ensure sufficient resources and readiness for a major, high-profile event with complex safety and threat considerations.
Why is this grant being offered for the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be unusually large and operationally demanding. It is co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, is expected to bring more than five million international visitors, and is projected to generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity across 11 U.S. host cities during a 38-day period. The grant reflects the elevated security and preparedness requirements that come with this scale and visibility.
How are the U.S.-based matches classified from a security perspective?
All 78 U.S.-based matches are designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level I or II events. This indicates high national significance and elevated security requirements, typically involving extensive multi-agency coordination and substantial operational planning around venues and surrounding areas.
Who is eligible to apply for the FWCGP?
Eligibility is limited to state governments. Applications and funds are managed through governor-designated State Administrative Agencies (SAAs), which serve as the official pass-through entities for the program.
Can cities, counties, or local agencies apply directly?
Based on the structure described, local units of government are expected to receive funding through subawards rather than applying directly. Funds flow from the state (through the SAA) to Host City Committee Task Forces tied to the 11 host cities, and those task forces are expected to issue subawards to local units of government.
What is the role of the State Administrative Agency (SAA)?
The SAA is the governor-designated entity that serves as the official pass-through for the FWCGP at the state level. The SAA receives funds first and provides statewide oversight while ensuring compliance with federal grant management requirements as funds move to entities supporting host city security operations.
What are Host City Committee Task Forces, and what do they do in this program?
Host City Committee Task Forces are associated with the 11 U.S. host cities. Under the program design described, they are intended to receive funding through the state pass-through structure and then issue subawards to local units of government to support on-the-ground public safety and security planning and operations.
What kinds of activities is the FWCGP designed to support?
The program is designed to support security and preparedness activities that help jurisdictions plan for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from security incidents tied to the World Cup. The description emphasizes readiness for a wide range of incidents, including potential terrorist attacks, and the operational needs created by large crowds, intense global attention, and complex threat environments.
How much total funding is available under the FWCGP?
The overall program funding level is listed at $625 million.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $74,000,000.
How many awards does FEMA anticipate making?
The opportunity anticipates making nine awards.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, meaning awards are not automatic and are made through a competitive or selective federal grant process as indicated by the funding opportunity notice.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number provided is 97.160.
What is the official opportunity number?
The opportunity number is DHS FEMA FWCGP 160.
When is the application deadline?
The application closing date shown is 2025-12-05.
How does this grant relate to other major event security efforts?
The program reflects a broader federal approach that has historically supported security for other major international events (such as the Olympics), where local and state capabilities often need reinforcement due to global attention, large crowds, and sophisticated threat environments.
What is the geographic focus of the program?
The FWCGP is tied specifically to the 2026 FIFA World Cup footprint in the United States, with funds intended to support host jurisdictions connected to the 11 U.S. host cities and their surrounding operational needs.
Who or what is the program ultimately intended to protect?
The program is designed to help host jurisdictions protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and supporting critical infrastructure while improving readiness for the surge in people, media attention, and potential threat activity during the tournament.
Why is the application date set well ahead of the 2026 tournament?
The timeline is intended to give jurisdictions time to build and test security plans, stage or procure needed capabilities, and coordinate across agencies well in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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