Shutdown could impact future World Cup travel, lawmakers and TSA chief warn

The 2026 World Cup was in the spotlight during Wednesday's House committee hearing. The U.S., Canada, and Mexico will be co-hosting the tournament, which kicks off in June.

Rep. Andrew R. Garbarino, a Republican from New York and chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, pointed to the surge in international fans expected to travel through the nation's airports and said disruptions spanning from the ongoing shutdown "present a dire situation" ahead of the tournament.

Ha Nguyen McNeill, TSA's acting administrator, meanwhile, noted that the shutdown also has significantly decreased the number of interested new hire candidates. For those who are hired, four to six months of training is required, she said - meaning they would not be able to work at checkpoints "until well after the 2026 FIFA World Cup."

McNeill also warned the shutdown could weaken security.

"We are really concerned about our security posture and what the long-term impacts of the shutdown is going to have on the workforce and our ability to carry out the mission," McNeill said.