World Cup Dreams: Can Seattle Secure The Funds?

So, if you're like me, you may not have noticed it, but if you're like my buddy John down the hallway, soccer has become a big thing in Seattle. During the pro soccer season John will sometimes take a few days off so he can travel to Seattle with his kids and watch the Seattle Sounders play. 

You may know that it's been announced that several of the World Cup soccer games would be coming to Seattle to play at Lumen Field. John and all of his buddies were really excited. The problem now is that the World Cup needs money, about $20 million worth. 

According to axios.com,
‘Seattle's World Cup organizing committee is seeking $19.4 million from Washington's Legislature to help cover the stadium improvements, April Putney, the committee's chief strategy officer, told Axios.
The money would support upgrades to Lumen's playing field, security perimeter, and broadcast infrastructure, among other things’ 

Considering the problems in the Washington state budget right now, (a multibillion-dollar shortfall over the next four years.) $20 million for stadium and infrastructure improvements for the World Cup organization is a big ask. The capital budget that the Senate passed just a month ago is only budgeting $12 million for the stadium and the House capital budget is only allocating $4 million for the stadium, a serious shortfall from what the World Cup wants. 

So, what's going to happen? Is the World Cup going to give us a break? I don't know all of the Little Ins and outs of how the World Cup operates, but it's been my impression that the World Cup loves to spend money, especially when it's other people's money. 

Will we have World Cup soccer next year? I hope so, not for me, but for my buddy John and all his friends that love the game.
Washington lawmakers split on Seattle World Cup funding - Axios Seattle
Seattle will host 6 World Cup matches in 2026 - Axios Seattle