Long story short
Houston City Council unanimously approved three agreements for security in June and July that will go directly toward security for FIFA.
One agreement approved $16.6 million for security during the three-week period of the World Cup. Another includes a $2 million reimbursement for funding the city spent on security for Fan Fest, and the third was a $1.2 million agreement between the city and Harris County to monitor for unmanned aircraft systems—or drones—through the duration of FIFA.
Fan Fest will be an event in East Downtown where people can go watch the games in public for free, according to previous reporting.
The local impact
The FIFA World Cup Grant Program, using Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, will provide $625 million to 11 cities that are set to host the games. Houston will receive $64.6 million of that funding.
Since the city has already begun spending on security, council member Julian Ramirez said the $64.6 million will come as a reimbursement after the event has ended. He said he was not sure when the city would receive it.
One more thing
Houston will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 4.
