Governor Greg Abbott announced on March 25 that the Governor’s Public Safety Office has awarded $116 million in grants to the City of Houston and the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The funding is intended to provide additional safety personnel, equipment, and other public safety resources for security measures related to upcoming FIFA World Cup events.
The grant program aims to ensure that visitors and residents can enjoy Texas safely during the international tournament. Security enhancements are considered important due to the scale of the event and potential threats associated with large gatherings.
“The FIFA World Cup coming to Texas gives our state a premier opportunity to showcase all it has to offer,” said Governor Abbott. “These public safety grants will help ensure that travelers visiting and traveling throughout Texas can enjoy our great state safely, will bolster Texas’ efforts to combat crime, and help prevent potential acts of violence. I thank our partners in the Trump Administration for helping prioritize the safety of our fellow Americans.”
The FIFA World Cup Grant Program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, providing $625 million in funding for host cities through gubernatorially-designated State Administrative Agencies. This funding supports extensive security activities required for protecting players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across host cities against possible terrorist attacks.
According to the official website, Governor Abbott’s office contributed to leading Texas in job growth and record employment levels. The office maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to official sources. In addition, TIME recognized Greg Abbott among its 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to official sources.
The governor’s office focuses on job creation, economic opportunities, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling decisions, and southern border security according to official information. Greg Abbott has led this office since his election in 2014 according to official sources, exercising authority statewide across Texas according to official information.
