WASHINGTON (Chatnewstv.com) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday awarded $250 million to 11 states hosting matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and to the National Capital Region to strengthen defenses against hostile drones, marking what the agency described as its fastest non-disaster grant award ever.
The funding, issued under FEMA’s new Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, will allow state and local authorities to detect, identify, track and mitigate unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, ahead of the tournament expected to draw millions of spectators to the United States.
Officials said the award was completed just 26 days after the application deadline, a pace FEMA said reflects heightened urgency as the country prepares to host what organizers describe as the largest sporting event in world history.
“We knew we needed to act quickly to keep the World Cup safe from the rising threat of unmanned aircraft systems, and that’s exactly what we did,” a FEMA spokesperson said. “This is the fastest non-disaster grant program ever executed by FEMA. The speed reflects a focus on cutting red tape, getting resources into the hands of law enforcement and protecting the American people.”
The program aligns with the Trump-Vance administration’s broader effort to address drone threats at mass gatherings, outlined in an executive order on restoring American airspace sovereignty. In recent years, federal officials say, criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign actors have increasingly turned to drone technology to surveil or disrupt public events.
The C-UAS grants are backed by new authorities under the SAFER SKIES Act, which officials say expand the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter malicious drone activity. The measures are considered especially critical as preparations intensify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across multiple U.S. cities.
The grant program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July. It authorizes $500 million in federal funding over two years to bolster counter-drone capabilities nationwide.
Tuesday’s announcement covers the first $250 million, directed to the 11 World Cup host states and the National Capital Region, which will also host events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. FEMA said the remaining $250 million will be distributed next year to all U.S. states and territories, with a broader focus on building nationwide detection and response capacity.
The awards follow a comprehensive review of FEMA’s grant programs, which the agency said resulted in reforms aimed at curbing waste, fraud and abuse.
Under President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FEMA “has become a responsible steward of taxpayers’ dollars,” the agency said, adding that grants are now designed to fund projects that deliver “real safety and security for all Americans.”
