'A moral failure': Miami-Dade commissioner requests immediate halt to World Cup funding
By Sherrilyn Cabrera
July 25, 2025 at 5:22 PM EDT
A Miami-Dade County commissioner is asking for an immediate halt to funding towards the 2026 World Cup — and demanding. And wants those funds to go toward community services instead.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently presented the proposed county budget for the next fiscal year. In it were major cuts to county services and staffing.
Now Commission Vice Chairman Kionne McGhee sayshas said the tens of millions of dollars allocated towards hosting seven matches during next summer's soccer tournament should return to essential programs suffering from hit by budget cuts.
ThatIn a release, he outlined cuts includesto senior support services, summer lunch programs for children, mental health resources, testing of backlogged rape kits for survivors, cultural arts grants and non-profits providingthat provide direct aid to vulnerable families.
"I was proud to support bringing the World Cup to Miami-Dade, believing it would showcase our world-class community and drive economic growth," McGhee said.
"But the Mayor's proposed budget, which guts critical nonprofits and our county's Community Action Agency, changes everything. When our residents are facing the loss of programs that keep communities alive, safe, and dignified, spending millions on FIFA stadiums and events becomes indefensible. I can no longer support it."
READ MORE: 'A legacy moment for South Florida': Miami’s vision for the 2026 World Cup
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently presented the proposed county budget for the next fiscal year. In it were major cuts to county services and staffing.
MeanwhileThe cuts come as $46 million dollars is is earmarkedset to be spent foron FIFA World Cup-related projects,.
"This is not fiscal responsibility—it is moral failure. Entertainment cannot come before humanity," McGhee saidadded.
According to the Miami Herald, Levine Cava's office on Friday released a statement expressing her own concerns about the World Cup funding. “The Mayor expressed concerns when this funding request was first brought to the administration,” the statement read. “Those concerns remain as we balance critical needs in our community.”
The Vice Chairman's demands include the return of unspent or uncommitted funds to community service programs, all Wolrld Cup-related funding to be immediately halted and a public audit of expenditures for the championship.
The major soccer event next year will take place in North Americathe U.S., Mexico and Canada. Seven matches will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens..
Valentina Sandoval contributed to this report.
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently presented the proposed county budget for the next fiscal year. In it were major cuts to county services and staffing.
Now Commission Vice Chairman Kionne McGhee sayshas said the tens of millions of dollars allocated towards hosting seven matches during next summer's soccer tournament should return to essential programs suffering from hit by budget cuts.
ThatIn a release, he outlined cuts includesto senior support services, summer lunch programs for children, mental health resources, testing of backlogged rape kits for survivors, cultural arts grants and non-profits providingthat provide direct aid to vulnerable families.
"I was proud to support bringing the World Cup to Miami-Dade, believing it would showcase our world-class community and drive economic growth," McGhee said.
"But the Mayor's proposed budget, which guts critical nonprofits and our county's Community Action Agency, changes everything. When our residents are facing the loss of programs that keep communities alive, safe, and dignified, spending millions on FIFA stadiums and events becomes indefensible. I can no longer support it."
READ MORE: 'A legacy moment for South Florida': Miami’s vision for the 2026 World Cup
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recently presented the proposed county budget for the next fiscal year. In it were major cuts to county services and staffing.
MeanwhileThe cuts come as $46 million dollars is is earmarkedset to be spent foron FIFA World Cup-related projects,.
"This is not fiscal responsibility—it is moral failure. Entertainment cannot come before humanity," McGhee saidadded.
According to the Miami Herald, Levine Cava's office on Friday released a statement expressing her own concerns about the World Cup funding. “The Mayor expressed concerns when this funding request was first brought to the administration,” the statement read. “Those concerns remain as we balance critical needs in our community.”
The Vice Chairman's demands include the return of unspent or uncommitted funds to community service programs, all Wolrld Cup-related funding to be immediately halted and a public audit of expenditures for the championship.
The major soccer event next year will take place in North Americathe U.S., Mexico and Canada. Seven matches will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens..
Valentina Sandoval contributed to this report.
This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.