In a move to secure American airspace before the world’s biggest sporting event arrives, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Tuesday the release of $250 million in grants aimed at combating hostile drones.
The funding is being directed to the 11 states set to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as the National Capital Region.
The grants fall under the new Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) program, which provides local law enforcement with the resources to detect, track, and mitigate unauthorized unmanned aircraft.
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According to FEMA, this initiative represents the fastest execution of a non-disaster grant in the agency’s history, with funds awarded just 25 days after the application deadline. The accelerated timeline reflects a push by the Trump-Vance administration to bolster security ahead of the tournament and coincides with the objectives of the recent Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty.
“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,” said FEMA Acting Administrator Karen S. Evans. She noted that the rapid turnaround highlights the administration’s focus on “cutting red tape” to get tools into the hands of law enforcement.
The program was established following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025,” signed by President Trump in July. The Department of Homeland Security is overseeing a total of $500 million for the initiative over a two-year period.
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While this first tranche focuses on World Cup host regions and the D.C. area—which is preparing for America 250 events—the remaining $250 million is scheduled for release next year to broaden drone defense capabilities across all U.S. states and territories.
Officials emphasize that the grant program leverages new authorities granted under the SAFER SKIES Act, designed to counter the increasing use of drone technology by criminals and foreign actors.
The announcement follows a broader review of FEMA’s grant procedures under the leadership of Secretary Noem. The agency stated that recent reforms are intended to eliminate waste and ensure taxpayer funds are strictly allocated to projects that deliver tangible safety improvements.
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