FEMA distributes US$250m C-UAS grants to FIFA host states as Safer Skies Act gives local LE first-ever counter-drone authority

FEMA confirmed in late April 2026 that it has completed the fastest non-disaster grant award in the agency’s history, distributing US$250 million in counter-UAS grants to the 11 US states hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and the National Capital Region. A separate US$625 million FIFA World Cup Grant Programme is also available for state security agencies to purchase detection and tracking systems. The Safer Skies Act, signed into law on 18 December 2025, for the first time authorises state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement and correctional officers to detect, track and in some cases disable drones posing a credible threat at stadiums and critical infrastructure sites, after federal training and certification. JIATF 401 coordinates purchasing and training. The Act establishes a new SkyFoundry programme to manufacture domestic drones. The DHS simultaneously launched a new Programme Executive Office for UAS and C-UAS to oversee strategic investments and counter-drone deployment ahead of FIFA 2026 and America250 events.