Grow Public Safety Tech Investments with FEMA World Cup Grants| Genasys

By Adam Stewart, Product Marketing at Genasys

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on. With an expected five million international visitors descending upon 11 US host cities over 38 days, the scale of the security and public safety challenge is unprecedented.

This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided the critical starting whistle, announcing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FIFA World Cup Grant Program (FWCGP). This standalone program dedicates a significant $625 million in federal funding to enhance security and preparedness for what will be the largest sporting event in history.

This is a massive opportunity and a clear directive. Host City Committee Task Forces now have a narrow window to secure these federal dollars to implement essential security measures for players, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure. The deadline for application submissions is December 5, 2025.

The time for planning is over; the time for decisive investment in a layered, modern protective communications strategy is now. This funding should be leveraged to adopt a complete protective communications system for and beyond the World Cup, and that means investing in Genasys Protect.

Why Genasys Protect is the Play for World Cup Cities

The FEMA funding is explicitly designated for security preparations, training, staff background checks, and increased emergency response. At the heart of all effective security and response is communication.

Genasys Protect goes beyond simple mass notification. It is a comprehensive protective communication platform designed to provide Precision, Speed, and Clarity in high-stakes environments like the World Cup:

Multi-Agency Coordination: The World Cup demands seamless collaboration between local law enforcement, stadium security, transit authorities, fire/EMS, and federal partners. Genasys Protect provides a Common Operating Picture (a shared map displaying real-time situational awareness information) so everyone is working from the same intelligence, reducing confusion and accelerating response.

Targeted Public Communication: Alerts must reach the right people in the right place, immediately. Our system uses intelligent communication zones to deliver location-based alerts via multiple channels (SMS, mobile app push, social media, etc.) with multilingual support. This ensures every fan, staff member, and resident gets clear, actionable instructions, regardless of language or connection method.

Pre-Planning and Readiness: Emergency managers can use Genasys Protect to proactively model and simulate match-day conditions including traffic flow, crowd density, and high-risk areas, to pre-position resources and build Quick Launch alerts for common threats like severe weather, medical emergencies, or crowd unrest.

The Unmatched Value of Genasys Acoustics

In a packed stadium, a chaotic fan zone, or a loud transportation hub, a mobile notification alone is not enough. You need the ability to cut through the noise—literally—and command attention.

This is where the unique power of Genasys Acoustics comes into play, making it a crucial investment for any FWCGP application:

Cut Through Crowd Noise: Genasys Acoustic systems broadcast clear, intelligible voice messages over extremely long distances and above loud background noise, like cheering crowds or heavy traffic. This ensures critical, life-saving instructions are heard when standard PA systems fail.
Reach the Unconnected: Acoustics ensures you can communicate with people who may not have opted-in to a text service, have a dead phone battery, or be without reliable Wi-Fi. It is the fail-safe communication layer.
Command and Control: In a crowd management scenario, clear voice commands delivered instantly can de-escalate tension, direct foot traffic away from security threats, or clearly provide instructions to shelter-in-place or move to a safe zone.

Genasys is proven in protecting massive, global crowds and infrastructure, from large-scale international events to critical daily public safety operations.

LRAD by Genasys

Genasys also offers Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) that broadcast precise, directional voice commands. LRAD systems have proven invaluable for large events: at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo they enabled staff to evacuate 2.5 million attendees during severe weather; Columbia, SC police used LRAD 100X units to disperse an 8,000‑person celebration after a football game; and during the 2024 U.S. campus protests, LRAD and Genasys CONNECT helped de‑escalate tensions and keep protesters informed. These examples underscore how LRAD augments acoustic warning systems with clear, authoritative communication when crowds are most vulnerable.

Genasys Evertel for Real-Time Collaboration During the World Cup

Genasys Evertel is the essential collaboration layer for first responder and law enforcement agencies during complex, high-stakes events like the World Cup. Unlike consumer messaging apps which pose legal risks and fragment intelligence, Evertel provides a single, highly secure (CJIS and FOIA compliant) real-time chat platform where personnel from multiple, distinct agencies (local police, federal security, fire, EMS, and transit) can seamlessly exchange sensitive information to establish real-time coordination and communication, drastically accelerating collaborative decision-making and ensuring a consistent, coordinated response across the entire operational footprint of the event.

The Clock is Ticking

Host City Task Forces and their local government sub-applicants must act now. FEMA has expedited this process, with a tight application window closing on December 5, 2025.

Your security plan is only as strong as your ability to communicate clearly. Don’t let your community be caught without the industry’s most trusted protective communications solution. Use this opportunity to get Genasys Protect, including our essential Acoustic devices (Acoustics and LRAD), into your FIFA World Cup Grant Program application today to build the safest, most prepared World Cup in history.

How to Apply:

Eligible applicants must apply for funding and submit required forms and information as attachments via email to FEMA-GPD-GrantPrograms@fema.dhs.gov. Standard forms are available here. Detailed instructions regarding application submission have been provided via email. Completed applications must be submitted to FEMAGPD-GrantPrograms@fema.dhs.gov

To watch a full discussion on World Cup preparation with Boston’s Ky’Ron Owens and Tacoma’s Shontieka Adeogun, including their candid insights, lessons learned, and planning tips, watch the recorded webinar here.