FIFA's $1 Billion Problem: US Host Cities Demand Unpaid Legacy Funds Amid Record Revenues

FIFA's 2026 World Cup has left a sour taste in the mouths of US host cities, who are demanding $1 million each from the organization for promised legacy contributions. The funds were meant to support social projects and mini-pitch installations in local communities, but as of early August, none have been received.

The 11 US host cities committed over $100 million in public resources to support their roles as host venues, with Kansas City waiving at least $15.6 million in taxes. Despite FIFA's projected record revenues for its 2023-2026 cycle, expected to exceed $11 billion in profit, the organization has remained largely silent since public criticism of the unpaid funds surfaced on August 4.

The irony lies in FIFA's recent crypto partnerships, including a deal with Kraken as its Official Crypto Exchange Supporter for the 2026 World Cup. Chainlink also contributed to prediction markets tied to the tournament, which reached $3.8 billion in 2025. This has raised questions about the priorities of major exchanges and infrastructure protocols, who view sports sponsorships as a primary growth vector.