2026 World Cup: Economic Gains vs. Access Barriers

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to unfold from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, promises to be the largest edition in the tournament's history with 48 teams and 104 matches. Organizers anticipate it will draw 6.5 million visitors and generate $13.9 billion in direct spending, contributing $40.9 billion to global GDP and creating over 824,000 jobs in tourism, transportation and related sectors. Yet as the event nears, high costs, travel barriers and environmental concerns are tempering expectations for broad international participation.

The tournament kicks off at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium and culminates with the final at MetLife Stadium in the New York-New Jersey area. The United States, hosting the majority of matches in 11 cities including Los Angeles, Dallas and Seattle, stands to benefit most, with projections of $17.2 billion in economic output, $3.4 billion in tax revenue and 185,000 jobs. Cities like Los Angeles could see $594 million from eight games alone, outpacing events such as the 2022 Super Bowl. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as "a real engine for growth, job creation and strengthening...