Are promised Fifa legacy funds being withheld from US World Cup cities?

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Promised Fifa Legacy Funds Under Scrutiny by US World Cup Cities

Multiple United States cities that served as host venues for the recent World Cup are reportedly seeking millions of dollars in "legacy" funds that they believe Fifa had promised them. These funds were intended for the development of football infrastructure and social projects within the host communities. The claims suggest that Fifa management verbally assured city representatives of a US$1 million contribution per city for legacy initiatives.
Verbal Assurances of Legacy Payments

Four executives from these US host cities, who spoke anonymously to The Athletic, indicated that Fifa management had repeatedly assured them of a US$1 million contribution towards legacy projects. These assurances were reportedly made verbally by members of Fifa’s senior management and reiterated in various meetings with city officials. This commitment was allegedly communicated despite no official public statement being issued by Fifa regarding such payments to the World Cup host cities.
Context of Club World Cup Announcement

The pursuit of these legacy funds by the World Cup cities appears to have been prompted by an announcement made by Fifa president Gianni Infantino regarding similar payments. Infantino had declared that host cities for the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States would receive such contributions. Following this announcement, officials from the US World Cup host cities began requesting their promised payments.
Cities Seeking Payment Updates

The lack of disbursement for the promised legacy funds has led several cities to actively seek updates from Fifa staff. Cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston, and New York/New Jersey were among the venues that hosted matches during the tournament held across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The total revenue for Fifa for the 2023-26 cycle has reportedly reached US$15 billion, partly due to the expanded 48-team format of the recent World Cup.

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Are promised Fifa legacy funds being withheld from US World Cup cities?

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