According to Tourism Economics, a leader in global travel analytics, the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in North America, is anticipated to significantly increase tourism expenditure across 11 host cities, thereby providing a notable economic uplift to these regions.
This prestigious international soccer event, occurring every four years, is projected to attract approximately 1.2 million foreign visitors. This figure includes both ticketed fans and their accompanying guests, as well as representatives from national teams, match officials, and other attendees, as reported by Tourism Economics.
The tournament is set to commence on June 12 in Los Angeles, with a total of 78 matches scheduled in various U.S. cities. Additionally, 26 games will occur in Mexico and Canada. The championship match is slated for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The U.S. metropolitan areas designated to host matches, as confirmed by FIFA, include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.
Following a decline in international tourism in 2025, the U.S. is poised to experience an increase in visitors next year, as noted by Tourism Economics. Analysts attribute the downturn to negative perceptions of the trade policies during the Trump administration, which likely impacted tourism this past year.
In 2025, international visitor numbers in the U.S. fell by 6.3%. However, the firm predicts a rebound with a 3.7% rise in international arrivals for the coming year, significantly influenced by the World Cup.
Tourism Economics stated in a November report, “The various challenges facing international travel are expected to be partially mitigated by a strong global interest in this major event.”
Moreover, a report from FIFA in conjunction with the World Trade Organization examining the World Cup’s economic ramifications highlights that the surge of visitors is likely to generate billions of dollars in economic activity within host cities, positively impacting sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and retail.
The report emphasizes that hotels in the host cities are gearing up for unprecedented occupancy levels, while local businesses are set to benefit from increased customer traffic. Beyond the immediate economic effects, the event serves as a significant opportunity to showcase the host cities as prominent tourist destinations, thereby enhancing their attractiveness to international travelers.
It is estimated that international guests will spend an average of 12 days in the U.S., attend around two matches, and typically incur expenses exceeding $400 per day.
Edited by Alain Sherter
