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Looking for guidance on World Cup 2026 or C-UAS grants? Contact Axon below to review guidelines and best practices.

When the FIFA World Cup arrives in North America in 2026, it will be the largest coordinated security operation ever hosted in the United States. Eleven U.S. cities will welcome millions of visitors, each requiring seamless coordination across local, state, and federal agencies. To help agencies prepare, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have launched two major grant programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Together, these programs currently represent more than $1.1 billion in federal funding to strengthen venue security, airspace awareness, and regional coordination before, during, and after the tournament. FEMA has indicated that total funding could expand as additional allocations are finalized.

The two FEMA grant programs supporting World Cup 2026

1. FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP – $625 Million, FY2026)

Administered through FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate and authorized under Section 90005(a)(1)(B) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025), the FWCGP provides $625 million in funding to help host states and cities enhance preparedness and security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Funds are awarded to each State Administrative Agency (SAA), which then passes resources to Host City Committee Task Forces and their local partners—law enforcement, emergency management, fire, EMS, and transportation agencies.

Key priorities include:

• Operational overtime and surge staffing

• Physical and cybersecurity enhancements

• Interagency communication tools and training

• Exercises and event-specific response coordination

View the official FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP) NOFO, Fact Sheet, and FAQ on FEMA.gov

2. Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program – $500 Million

Authorized under Section 90005(a)(1)(A) of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025), the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program provides $500 million total, divided evenly across $250 million in FY2026 and $250 million in FY2027. The program helps state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies address the growing airspace risks posed by unauthorized or malicious drones. Funding supports technologies and training that enable agencies to detect, track, identify, and, where federally authorized, mitigate drone activity. Examples include radar and EO/IR sensors, radio frequency detection systems, Remote ID receivers, acoustic, and integrated data fusion platforms that create a single, coordinated operational picture.

View the official C-UAS Grant Program NOFO and application materials on FEMA.gov

Who can apply and how the process works

Both programs follow FEMA’s standard Homeland Security Grant Program structure:

• Eligible applicants: Only State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) may apply directly to FEMA.

• Subrecipients: Local law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, and fusion centers receive funding through their SAA.

• Pass-through requirements:

  • FWCGP: SAAs must pass 100 percent of awarded funds to Host City Committee Task Forces within 45 days.

  • C-UAS: SAAs must pass 97 percent of awarded funds to local or tribal governments within 45 days.

• Reimbursement process: FEMA reimburses State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) after reviewing eligible expenses, and SAAs then reimburse local or tribal subrecipients. FEMA’s primary relationship is with each state’s SAA, not with individual local agencies. If FEMA requests additional information, the thirty day review window resets once the agency receives the updated materials.

• How to apply: Applications are submitted through the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal. Applicants must have an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) before submission.

• Timeline:

  • Applications opened October 28, 2025

  • Deadline December 5, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET

  • Awards expected early 2026

• State timelines: State Administrative Agencies may set internal submission deadlines that fall well before the federal due date, so agencies should confirm their state’s timeline as soon as possible.

• Additional resources: Detailed instructions, forms, and templates are available on Grants.gov and within each program’s NOFO.

What the funding can support

FIFA World Cup Grant Program

Projects must align with FEMA’s POETE framework (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercises):

• Planning: Security plans, interagency coordination protocols, and crowd-management strategies.

• Organization: Overtime and staffing for command centers, dispatch, and field operations.

• Equipment: Cameras, communications networks, ALPR and sensor platforms, power systems, UAS detection tools, and UAS that support preparedness and security needs.

• Training & exercises: DHS-approved training, HSEEP-compliant drills, and large-scale readiness exercises.

C-UAS Grant Program

Allowable costs include:

• Detection and tracking: Radar, EO/IR, acoustic, RF detection, and Remote ID technologies.

• Integration: Data-fusion software and secure networks for a unified operational view.

• Mitigation (for authorized law enforcement): Radio frequency or kinetic systems available only to agencies whose officers have completed or are currently enrolled in the FBI’s National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC) deputization program.

• Training and exercises: Hands-on operator training, tabletop simulations, and joint drills to validate C-UAS response plans.

View the official Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program Fact Sheet and C-UAS Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions on FEMA.gov.

Agencies are encouraged to take a layered approach to security planning since more complete plans tend to be more competitive during FEMA review. Showing how technologies and programs work together, for example combining C-UAS detection tools with communication and command coordination systems, demonstrates a comprehensive readiness strategy.

Why these grants matter nationwide

While the FIFA program focuses on 11 host cities, both initiatives are designed to improve statewide and national readiness. The FY2026 funding round prioritizes FIFA venues and the National Capital Region, while the FY2027 C-UAS round expands eligibility to all 56 states and territories.

• FY 2026 emphasizes FIFA venues and the National Capital Region.

• FY 2027 C-UAS funding expands to all 56 states and territories, helping agencies build permanent airspace awareness and emergency-response infrastructure.

• Investments made for World Cup 2026 also strengthen capabilities for America 250, other SEAR-rated events, and everyday public safety operations by advancing long term situational awareness and airspace awareness.

How Axon can help

As agencies prepare their FEMA submissions, Axon can serve as a trusted resource, offering clarity on program requirements and how both FEMA grants and related technologies fit into broader planning efforts.

Our team supports public safety partners with:

• Grant aligned documentation, including FEMA ready spec sheets, Buy America certifications, and eligibility information for Axon solutions.

• Education and coordination support to help agencies understand how Axon’s real time operations solutions align with FEMA funding priorities.

• Access to guidelines and best practices that support strong planning for World Cup and C-UAS grant submissions.

If your agency has questions about these programs, our team is here to share guidelines and best practices to help you understand the process and move forward with clarity.

Take the next step

To move quickly:

1. Contact your State Administrative Agency (SAA) to confirm its submission process and internal deadlines.

2. Review FEMA’s official NOFOs and Fact Sheets for complete requirements.

3. Register early in SAM.gov and FEMA GO to avoid delays.

4. Define your project under the POETE categories so your proposal clearly supports FEMA’s objectives.

5. Reach out to Axon for guidelines and best practices that support strong planning for your agency’s World Cup or C-UAS grant submission.

6. Prepare your Investment Justification early and ensure it includes a clear project description, the capability gap you are addressing, the planned outcomes, an implementation schedule, and a budget.

The 2026 World Cup is more than a global event. It’s an opportunity to build a lasting security legacy. With federal funding now available, agencies can strengthen their operations from the ground to the air and into the future.