Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino present the World Cup Trophy to Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has long since come and passed, and while it was a resounding success compared to expectations going in, many cities have reportedly been left holding the bag.
According to Adam Crafton of The Athletic, 11 U.S. cities are still waiting to receive promised payouts from FIFA that were described as a “legacy contribution” aimed at growing the sport in those cities.
However, those payments never came, in part due to the fact that many of the cities had a handshake agreement with FIFA but did not get the deal in writing.
Did FIFA Stiff U.S. Cities On World Cup Payouts
Crafton reports that at least four of the 11 U.S. host cities are still waiting for payment, while FIFA has essentially ghosted them since the end of the tour.
“According to four executives at U.S. host city committees, all of whom asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, FIFA management repeatedly assured the cities they would receive the same $1 million contribution towards legacy, despite no public statement ever being made by the organization,” he reports.
Herein lies the problem. FIFA is a notoriously corrupt organization, and as Crafton reports, none of these cities actually drew up a contract for the payments.
“The four executives said this promise was made verbally by members of FIFA’s senior management, and reiterated to cities in meetings, but it has not been paid, meaning several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments.”
Should FIFA pay up on its promises? Of course. But if you make a deal with the devil and don’t get it in writing, you bear some fault as well.