WCup Homelessness Soccer
Seattle Stadium is seen in the background as a person rides a scooter past a series of tents on a trail near the stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer matches Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in downtown Seattle.
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The World Cup is offering the 16 host cities a chance to take action against one of the biggest problems they face — homelessness. Some, like Atlanta and Dallas, have embarked on ambitious plans to house people living on their downtown streets. But a survey by The Associated Press found most host cities are relying on existing services — without any fresh funding — to address homelessness. Advocates worry some cities will rely on a strategy of temporarily removing the homeless from areas where fans gather and games are played, rather than providing them with long-term housing. Such tactics have been seen in the past at large sports and political events worldwide.
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