Sports
Local officials warn Congress of serious World Cup security concerns
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 24, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the FIFA logo before a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images Representatives from cities hosting the FIFA World Cup later this summer testified before a congressional committee on Tuesday, laying out their concerns over potentially “catastrophic” problems with security as the event nears.
Speaking at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, witnesses pointed at two primary reasons why security preparations are far behind where they need to be with little more than 100 days before the World Cup kicks off: the freezing of FEMA funds earmarked for World Cup security and a lack of coordination between local entities and the federal government.
With the federal government currently in a shutdown, FEMA on Sunday announced it was scaling back to “bare-minimum, life-saving operations.” That meant the freezing of all funds not fitting that description, among which is nearly $900 million set aside for World Cup host cities.
As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, FEMA in November launched the FIFA World Cup Grant Program, which provided $625 million to host cities to “carry out the extensive security activities required to protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across the host cities, strengthening them against potential terrorist attacks.”
In December, the agency awarded another $250 million to the 11 host states, helping them to “strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems (drones).”
“I feel that if we’d been having this conversation two years ago, we’d be in better shape,” Mike Sena, president of the National Fusion Center Association, said during the hearing, before continuing, “but today, as we’re approaching these games, we’re nowhere near the capability we need.”
Ray Martinez, the COO of the Miami World Cup Host Committee, was more specific about his needs and concerns.
“We’re 107 days out from the tournament but, more importantly, we’re about 70-something days out from starting to build the Fan Fest,” he said, adding that if organizers don’t get the $70 million they applied for by the end of March, they will start cancelling events, starting with the Fan Fest.
“These decisions have to be made,” he added. “Without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination.”
Officials in Foxboro, Mass., have alluded to pulling out of hosting the seven matches scheduled for Gillette Stadium if the funding does not come through.
Kansas City Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Mabin said his department does not currently have enough staff to cover all of the city’s security needs, and called funding critical for the city’s ability to hire more personnel.
The World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, officially kicks off June 11 with Mexico playing South Africa in Mexico City and South Korea playing an opponent to be determined near Guadalajara. The first match to be played in the U.S. will come a day later, with the United States playing Paraguay in Los Angeles.
The 11 host cities in the United States are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Braves activate closer Raisel Iglesias from injured list
Apr 1, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias (26) pitches against the Athletics during the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves activated right-hander Raisel Iglesias from the injured list Tuesday and designated right-hander Carlos Carrasco for assignment.
Iglesias, 36, last pitched on April 19 and has been out with right shoulder inflammation.
In eight relief outings this season, Iglesias has five saves and has not allowed a run over 8 2/3 innings. In 12 career seasons, he is 42-55 with a 2.86 ERA and 258 saves over 608 appearances (21 starts) for the Cincinnati Reds (2015-20), Los Angeles Angels (2021-22) and Braves.
Carrasco, 39, was designated for assignment for the second time by the Braves this season and the third time since August. In two outings (2 1/3 innings) this season he has not allowed a run.
A veteran of 17 major league seasons, Carrasco is 112-105 with a 4.22 ERA in 337 appearances (286 starts) for the Cleveland Indians/Guardians (2009-20, 2024), New York Mets (2021-23), New York Yankees (2025) and Braves.
The Braves also sent left-hander Dylan Dodd (back) on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett, while shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (finger) had his rehab assignment transferred from Double-A Columbus to Triple-A Gwinnett.
–Field Level Media
Sports
After an 0-5 start, Marlins DFA right-hander Chris Paddack
Apr 10, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Chris Paddack (33) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images After another rocky start Sunday, the Marlins designated veteran right-hander Chris Paddack for assignment on Tuesday and recalled right-hander William Kempner from Triple-A Jacksonville.
Paddack, 30, gave up seven runs on six hits with three walks over 2 2/3 innings on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The outing came after a promising start against the Los Angeles Dodgers last week when he allowed two runs over four innings.
In seven starts this season, his first with Miami, Paddack was 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA and was tied for the major league lead with 26 earned runs allowed, entering Tuesday’s play.
Over eight major league seasons, Paddack is 32-41 with a 4.79 ERA in 125 appearances (116 starts) for the San Diego Padres (2019-21), Minnesota Twins (2022-25), Detroit Tigers (2025) and Marlins.
Kempner, who is poised to make his major league debut, was 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA in 12 relief appearances at Jacksonville. He has three saves and 34 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings.
The 24-year-old was a third-round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2022.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Giants sign DT DJ Reader to two-year deal
Nov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader is signing a two-year deal with the New York Giants, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.
The contract is reportedly worth $12.5 million, but can escalate to $15.5 if the 10-year veteran reaches incentives.
Reader started all 17 games last season with the Detroit Lions. He had 28 total tackles and four quarterback hits during his second season in Detroit.
A 2016 fifth-round draft pick by Houston, the former Clemson standout spent four seasons with the Texans (2016-2020) and four with the Cincinnati Bengals (2021-24).
Reader, 32, has played in at least 14 games in seven of his 10 seasons. In 137 games (128 starts), he has 328 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks.
The Giants traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to Cincinnati for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lawrence followed Reader as a defensive tackle at Clemson, playing for Dabo Sweeney from 2016-18.
–Field Level Media
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