California has received nearly $100 million in federal funds for security measures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup games while an Inglewood lawmaker seeks to create a new bill outlawing personal drones near sports venues
INGLEWOOD – President Donald Trump is threatening to send federal officers to the World Cup games this summer after the states hosting the games received $625 million in federal funds for security-related measures.
“We’re going to have to do something when it comes World Cup time, and we’re going to have to force ourselves upon them, which we have the right to do because we don’t want to have any crime,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.
“We don’t want to have any problems for the Olympics and the World Cup,” he added.
California has received $58 million from FEMA’s FIFA World Cup Grant Program, with $18 million earmarked for transportation initiatives.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts has not acknowledged if he was aware of a security plan that involves federal officers but did respond to questions on the matter.
“I don’t pick fights with agencies that outnumber us 1,000 to 1,” said Butts. “I just let things keep rolling.”
California was also awarded an additional $34 million from the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program to monitor drone activity.
Inglewood Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-61) has authored legislation AB 2113 which would prohibit the operation of an unmanned aircraft system within a 400-foot radius of, or above, a ticketed entertainment event, except under specified circumstances. The bill would make a violation of this prohibition an infraction punishable by a fine of $500. By creating a new crime, McKinnor’s bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The schedule for the games that will play in Inglewood have been released.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey will be part of the match lineup in Inglewood following the finalization of the tournament schedule after completion of the Play-Off Tournament earlier this week.
The additions are part of an eight-match slate set for SoFi Stadium, including five group-stage contests beginning June 12 with the United States vs. Paraguay, followed by three knockout-stage matches later in the tournament.
The U.S. will complete group play June 25 against Turkey at the Inglewood venue.
The top two teams in each of the 12 four-team groups will advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-place teams.
SoFi Stadium, designated as “Los Angeles Stadium” for the tournament due to FIFA sponsorship rules, will also host two Round of 32 matches and a quarterfinal scheduled for July 10.
“With the final schedule now set, we are focused on delivering an exceptional experience for players, fans and our local communities,” Kathryn Schloessman, CEO of the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said in a statement.
The tournament will be played across multiple cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada and will be the largest in history with 104 matches.
Officials said the final phase of ticket sales opened this week, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
The schedule includes two group-stage matches involving Iran, although uncertainty has surrounded the team’s participation. Iran’s sport minister said last month the country would not participate in the World Cup following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
FIFA said it was working with all participating teams to ensure the tournament goes as planned.
“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including (the Islamic Republic of) Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026. FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025,” FIFA said in a statement last month.
Iran had attempted to negotiate with FIFA to move its matches to Mexico.
The eight matches scheduled for SoFi Stadium are:
— June 12, United States vs. Paraguay;
— June 15, Iran vs. New Zealand;
— June 18, Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina;
— June 21, Belgium vs. Iran;
— June 25, Turkey vs. United States;
— June 28, Round of 32;
— July 2, Round of 32; and
— July 10, Quarterfinal.
More information can be found at losangelesfwc26.com/.
City News Service contributed to this report.