Joint hearings to examine preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Senate 119th · April 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 138 · Scheduled

Loading Senate video...

Witnesses (3)
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism
Director, Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness
Special Agent in Charge, Portland Field Office
Moran, Jerry: Good morning. I call this hearing to order. I just left my colleague, Senator Britt, in the Judiciary Committee meeting, and she is asking questions and then coming here, and our Democratic colleagues are expected momentarily. But to get us started, I want to express my colleagues, to my colleagues, gratitude for agreeing to have this hearing and to bring two subcommittees, two appropriations subcommittees together on an issue that, set of issues that I think are really important. And so, thanks to my colleagues, Chairwoman Britt, and to my ranking member, Senator Van Hollen, and ranking member Senator Murphy, for agreeing, supporting, and here, by their presence today, or soon to be their presence today, an opportunity to help us discuss how we better prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I also thank our witnesses today. We have Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert O'Leary, Admiral Chris Toomey, and Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas Olson for their presence and for their continued work to support the efforts of the World Cup in the United States of America. The World Cup will be one of the largest global events ever hosted in the United States, with an estimated 5 to 6 million fans across 11 host cities, with significant spillover into surrounding communities and states as visitors travel throughout our country. The games are a significant opportunity to showcase American leadership, hospitality, and coordination, but it also presents a complex set of security and logistical challenges that demand oversight. I've convened, we're convening this hearing because the successful execution of the World Cup will depend on close coordination across the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Justice. DHS is leading the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026, which since its establishment last year has overseen many of the operational and interagency coordination efforts ahead of these games. At the same time, DOJ, through the FBI, will play a central role in intelligence, counterterrorism, and crisis response. Ensuring that these efforts are aligned, resourced, and clearly communicated across all levels of government is critical to supporting players, visitors, and host cities. The Department of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration, is our nation's lead federal agency on matters related to travel and tourism. For Kansas, this effort is especially meaningful. Kansas City will host, I should say for Kansas and Missouri, that's not my usual salutation, but for Kansas and Missouri, this effort will be especially meaningful. Kansas City will host multiple matches for four teams. England, Argentina, Algeria, and the Netherlands are expected to base camp or stay in Kansas or the Kansas City region, bringing an estimated 650,000 visitors. This level of activity will place significant demands on local law enforcement, emergency management, infrastructure. Federal planning must reflect not only the needs of the largest host city, but communities like Kansas City. At the same time, this presents significant opportunities for Kansas City and Kansas for businesses and for broader travel and tourism economy. Hotels, restaurants, small businesses, local attractions will all play a role in welcoming visitors from around the globe. I'm particularly interested in how the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration are working to support host cities and maximizing these economic benefits, both by promoting the United States as a destination and ensuring our communities like Kansas City are prepared to meet the demands of increased travel and tourism. Congress has already taken steps to support these efforts, including providing $625 million in dedicated funding to support host cities. As planning continues, it's our responsibility to ensure these resources are being deployed effectively, that coordination across the jurisdictions is seamless, and that host city communities, not just the designated cities like Kansas City, but surrounding towns, Lawrence and Prairie Village, and others are equipped and left with a lasting benefit from the games. This is an important moment in our country's history. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of our coordination at every level of government and across agencies, from federal partners and state and local law enforcement. The way the FBI works alongside the police chief of Kansas City is exactly the kind of collaboration that will define our success. It's also a moment not just for the nation as a whole, but for host cities and surrounding communities and small towns to welcome the world. And it is an opportunity to take pride in the safety and security we provide and to showcase the very best of the United States on a global stage. I now recognize the chairwoman and thank her for her cooperation in this joint hearing this morning. Chairwoman Britt.

This transcript is free.

Create an account to access the full transcript with speaker identification, synchronized video, and search.

Create Free Account
Or browse other hearings with transcripts