Houston is poised to host seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June. As the tournament approaches, public and private entities are beginning to invest in the city's infrastructure, transportation and public safety sectors.
After it was announced in late February that city officials would apply for $80 million in federal grants to enhance security at the tournament, Houston is now set to receive a new grant for transportation aid.
The gist
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced in early March that the public transit system across Houston will be awarded a $9 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration as part of a larger $100 million investment to improve public transportation for cities hosting World Cup matches.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Houston, said in a March 5 news release that the grant will help ensure "safe travel of fans and athletes" ahead of the tournament by:
- Supporting planning, capital and operating expenses for matches and other public events held in the host city
- Accounting for stadium capacity and number of matches
- Requiring transit agencies to obligate these funds within one fiscal year of the close of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
“The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, which will bring hundreds of thousands of fans to Houston in need of a safe mode of transportation to seamlessly travel to and from stadiums,” he said. “I’m grateful these resources will enhance public transit to help meet the expected surge in demand and create memorable experiences for players, teams and fans."
One more thing
The funding for the grant will come through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, which was signed into law in early February and provides appropriations to several federal departments for the remainder of fiscal year 2025-26, according to the Congress website.
