World Cup host cities across the United States are chasing FIFA for ‘millions of dollars’ they believe they were promised for the 2026 tournament.Gianni Infantino announced last year that football’s governing body would make a contribution of $1 million to each of the 11 cities that were hosting matches during the Club World Cup competition.World Cup host cities are chasing FIFA over unpaid contributionsAFPThat money was described as a ‘legacy contribution’ — with funds to be used to build mini-pitches, and support ‘social projects’ in each area.After Infantino’s initial announcement, the American cities scheduled to host World Cup games in 2026 asked if they would receive the same contribution for the more substantial task of hosting multiple games across the international tournament.The Athletic reports that FIFA management ‘repeatedly assured’ that cities would receive the same $1m contribution towards legacy, despite no public statement.Executives told the outlet that the promise was made ‘verbally’ by members of senior management, and ‘reiterated’ in meetings.However, that money has not been paid, and several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments.World Cup games were hosted in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle across 39 days this summer.Two of those host cities told The Athletic that it has been ‘difficult to understand’ why FIFA would be stalling or non-committal on what are described as ‘relatively minor’ payments, given the organization celebrated revenues in excess of $15 billion between 2023 and 2026, and had an operating budget of around $2.7bn for the 2026 tournament.“The challenge is exacerbated for the cities as some of the host committees are now winding up operations following the tournament, meaning it is not easy to work out the vehicle which would now be best placed to benefit from the payments,” the report read.“Others are seeking to draw up financial reports to their jurisdictions and authorities but do not have certainty over whether to include the payments.”Unpaid payments add another layer of controversy for FIFA and its embattled president in the wake of the World Cup.News of FIFA’s unpaid contributions is a fresh blow for embattled InfantinoAFPInfantino is already facing a rebellion over his plans to sell off stakes in competitions to private investors, which have been scrapped.In recent days, opponents of the president are threatening ‘non co-operation’ with the body unless he steps down.How much did US cities pay to host the World Cup?While the World Cup boosted tourism across the US this summer, host city committees were tasked with organising security, transport, fan events beyond each game day.The Financial Times reported last month that New York and New Jersey predicted around $3.3bn of economic activity would be generated, while California’s Bay Area hoped the combined impact of football games, as well as last year’s NBA All-Star Game and February’s Super Bowl LX, would be $1.4bn.However, doubts have since been raised over the economic windfall for each city.American taxpayers contributed hugely to the costs of the 2026 tournament, with the Kansas City host committee revealing to The Athletic that it received a total public investment of $86.8m.Kansas City’s host committee has revealed the cost of hosting World Cup gamesGettyNearly $75m more was also handed out in federal security assistance and in federal grants for transportation.Private donations, which remain undisclosed, were also receivedA $1m legacy contribution for each host city would appear a drop in the water compared to those massive numbers, but remains an incentive yet to be paid.