World Cup 2026 Funding Opens the Pitch for AAM — But the Shutdown Moves the Goalposts

Зайцев, A. (2019, March 3). Red card for FC Krasnodar (03.03.2019) [Photograph]. Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Retrieved November 2025 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_card_for_FC_Krasnodar_%2803.03.2019%29.jpg

Update: 11/11/2025 The U.S. Senate has taken its first procedural step toward ending the federal government shutdown by passing a continuing resolution on a 60-40 vote, though final approval by the House and presidential signature are still pending. Once the government reopens, agencies like FEMA and Federal Aviation Administration are expected to resume full operations — including the issuance of grant notices such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup infrastructure funding program. For AAM and UAS applicants, this means the race to prepare proposals remains urgent, as the window may compress further once review processes restart.

Why “understanding” the funding landscape matters now for Michigan and Midwest stakeholders

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced major grant programs aimed at supporting mobility and infrastructure readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—opportunities that could include Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and UAS monitoring firms. Although the application window is listed as opening October 28 and closing December 5, 2025, the formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is not yet posted on Grants.gov—and congressional delays from the shutdown are contributing to uncertainty. (Source: Thompson Grants, 2025)

What the funding could support

• UAS monitoring and aerial‑data support for crowd management and emergency response

• AAM‑enabled inter‑city transport and logistics concepts

• Infrastructure integration and situational‑awareness pilots

Why the shutdown still matters — even with movement underway

The federal government shutdown has lasted over a month, becoming the longest in U.S. history. While the United States Senate took the first procedural step toward reopening the government via a 60‑40 vote on a continuing resolution, the deal still requires final passage by both chambers and the president’s signature. (Sources: Washington Post, 2025; Associated Press, 2025)

For AAM stakeholders, this means:

• Grant program timelines may still shift

• Application support services, partnership coordination, and federal review processes remain compressed

• With heavy competition and narrow windows, understanding how to act fast is increasingly important

Connecting back to our theme: “Understanding”

According to the Michigan AAM Readiness Survey by Thelenwood Consulting, airports in Michigan achieved an average foundational‑knowledge score of 24%, reflecting that while interest is strong, familiarity with funding, policy, and operational pathways remains limited. Without deep awareness of what is funded, how to apply, and who to partner with, opportunities like these risk slipping away.

What you should do now

Define your use case – Shape it toward mobility, crowd management, or infrastructure‑readiness aligned with large‑event objectives.

Build the partnership – Include airport or municipality + AAM/UAS tech provider + data/security lead + public‑safety or event stakeholder.

Scope outcomes – Define measurable metrics, set a 36‑month timeline, and ensure replicability across venues.

Prepare early – Given the NOFO isn’t published and timelines may adjust, being ready to launch helps avoid being too late.

How Thelenwood Consulting can help

We support opportunity‑scoping, partner‑mapping, and proposal‑structuring—especially when timelines are tight and understanding is your differentiator.

Citations

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2025, October 28). FEMA Announces over $1 Billion in Federal Funding to Secure FIFA World Cup 2026 Games. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20251028/fema-announces-over-1-billion-federal-funding-secure-fifa-world-cup-games

Thompson Grants. (2025). NOFOs Issued for Grants to Secure FIFA World Cup. Retrieved from https://www.thompsongrants.com/editorial-commentary/nofos-issued-for-grants-to-secure-fifa-world-cup

The Washington Post. (2025, November 6). Senate Moves Toward Ending Record Government Shutdown. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/11/05/longest-government-shutdown-trump-us-history/

Associated Press. (2025, November 6). Senate Advances Bill to End Shutdown, House Vote Still Needed. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/641e7e2324f261da72395b604d9540e8