Eddie Mungai

Part 2 (of 3): World Cup Host Cities Delivering a Human Rights Legacy 

For the link to Part 1, click here!

🇺🇸Atlanta: Showcase Atlanta (non-profit for the City of Atlanta) is targeting small business development, offering training, marketing services and lending small business loans to select Atlanta entities before the World Cup. (Source: Rough Draft Atlanta)

🇺🇸Boston: FWC 26 Boston, in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, is committed to building 20 mini-pitches across many neighborhoods in New England leading up to the World Cup. (Source: Inside World Football)

🇺🇸Dallas: The North Texas Business Connect Program, created by the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, is prioritizing working with local suppliers to make sure they are prepared to benefit from the World Cup and future big events. (Source: FIFA World Cup 26™️ Dallas)

🇺🇸Houston: The Downtown Houston+ coalition will provide select businesses $2.2 million grants in order to improve the downtown area in time for the World Cup. (Source: Houston Public Media)

🇺🇸Kansas City: Kansas City is committing $1.4 million to support local businesses and artists to move into vacant storefronts before the FIFA World Cup. These entities will receive free and reduced leases in downtown and other areas within Kansas City. (Source: KSHB 41 Kansas City News)

🇺🇸Los Angeles: The Los Angeles FIFA World Cup 26™️ Host Committee, together with the Play Equity Fund, are granting 26 soccer nonprofits $26,000 each to help continue their efforts in serving underserved communities. (Source: FIFA Los Angeles)

The City of Los Angeles passed amendments to the Living Wage Ordinance, granting minimum-wage-earning hotel workers an increased hourly pay of $22.50/hr in July 2025, $25/hr by the start of next summer’s World Cup, and $30/hr by the 2028 Summer Olympics. (Source: Moneywise)

Part 3 coming soon.