The World Cup host cities in the United States are reportedly seeking $1-million "legacy" payouts from FIFA, which they believe were promised by the soccer governing body. According to a report, FIFA management assured the 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup games this summer that they would receive the payments for legacy initiatives, despite the promise not being made public.
The alleged promise came after the 11 U.S. cities hosting the 2025 Club World Cup were publicly promised $1-million "legacy" contributions from FIFA president Gianni Infantino to support "social projects" and infrastructure. The U.S. cities scheduled to host games in 2026 asked if they would receive the same contribution for hosting multiple games across 39 days during the World Cup.
Four host city committee executives granted anonymity said FIFA's senior management promised the payouts verbally and reiterated them in meetings, but had not followed through. Several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments, which are reportedly still pending. An email to FIFA seeking comment on the report was not immediately returned.
The U.S. cities that hosted games this year included Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Toronto was among the five cities outside of the U.S. to host games. Vancouver was the other Canadian city, while Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey were host cities in Mexico.
A City of Toronto spokesperson said they could not comment before the print deadline on whether a similar $1-million legacy payout was promised and whether a payment was received, if that had happened. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has previously cited new soccer facilities at Centennial Park and mini-pitches being built across the city as proof of the game's enduring legacy.
Hosting the tournament in Toronto cost municipal, provincial, and federal taxpayers a combined $380 million at last count. Councillor Josh Matlow recently suggested that the number was "likely" outdated. He called on council to ask the auditor general to perform a "value-for-money" audit of the tournament.
FIFA member organizations are growing increasingly disillusioned with Infantino, who tried to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors. The idea was eventually scrapped, and Infantino's future as FIFA president is now in jeopardy amid backlash from soccer governing bodies in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
A social media post by former FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan added fuel to the fire. He said his country's soccer federation had been waiting for reward money for their players since December for the Arab Cup in Qatar, which is a FIFA event. He accused FIFA of blackmail and refusing to help them on various matters until he endorsed Infantino.
