Bill Reintroduced to Support Public Transportation Funding for FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympics

As the U.S. Travel Association continued to push for upgrades throughout the national travel system, two U.S. Senators introduced a bill to provide transportation support funding for host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Los Angeles.

The bill was introduced Friday by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington). The bill would provide $50 million a year to help the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities while LA28 would also be in line to receive as much as $10 million annually for Federal fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 for transportation purposes.

“It was a tremendous feat to secure a spot as a host city during the 2026 World Cup and I have no doubt that Kansas City will be a welcoming community for hundreds of thousands of soccer fans from around the world,” Moran said. “Preparations are already underway for the games, and this legislation will support local community and agency efforts to improve infrastructure to connect fans with businesses, hotels, the airport and other host cities during the World Cup.”

Grants would support permanent transportation projects such as new roads, expanding light rail, new buses, bike lanes, improving existing roads or highways, or making airport terminal improvements. The funding would apply to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Los Angeles, plus the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

“The USOPC strongly supports the Transportation Assistance for Olympic and World Cup Host Cities Act, and we thank Senators Moran and Cantwell for their leadership on this issue,” the USOPC said in a statement. “This legislation is crucial to ensuring the United States is prepared to host the decade of sport ahead, from the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City. This bill will make it possible for cities to enhance their infrastructure and provide a seamless experience for athletes and fans alike. The essential transportation assistance set forward in this bill will help make these global events a success and demonstrate American excellence on the world stage.”
Not included in the bill are other major events coming to the United States including the 2029 World University Games in North Carolina, 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

In the bill, the Secretary of Transportation would allocate grants equally “among the host metropolitan planning organizations for the most imminent covered event and any other covered events occurring during the same fiscal year, subject to the condition that a host metropolitan planning organization may not receive more than $10,000,000 under this subparagraph for a single covered event.”

“Host metropolitan planning organizations” could receive grants if funds are left over, subject to the $10 million ceiling. Host metropolitan organizations can receive assistance beginning five years in advance of their events.

“With less than 500 days until Seattle hosts its first 2026 World Cup game, we need the Department of Transportation to get in the game and support host cities as they work to showcase the best of American innovation and hospitality,” Cantwell said. “This bill will help ensure the hundreds of thousands of fans visiting Seattle can get to and from games safely and efficiently by improving coordinated transportation planning across the Pacific Northwest.”

Geoff Freeman, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Travel Association, testified Tuesday before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security. U.S. Travel launched a national campaign in February on transforming the travel experience, from pre-travel planning to arrival.

Freeman pointed to inefficient processes (in visas, customs and airport screening); outdated technology (antiquated air traffic control systems and aging screening technology); and global competition (travel investments made by China, India and Saudi Arabia).

“Modernization is essential to ensure we remain competitive and responsive to the evolving needs of global travelers,” Freeman said. “At a time when every economic opportunity matters, we must work together to strengthen our travel infrastructure and keep pace with the rest of the world.”