The United States tourism sector, which has been experiencing a significant downturn this year, is poised for a remarkable recovery in 2026, thanks to the upcoming FIFA World Cup that will host matches across American cities. The world's most-watched sporting event promises to inject new life into an industry struggling with declining international arrivals.
Current Tourism Slump and Political Headwinds
International tourism to the United States has faced considerable challenges throughout this year, with visitors showing reluctance due to multiple factors. President Donald Trump's stringent visa policies, ongoing trade tensions, and heightened border security concerns have created an environment that discourages potential travelers from choosing the US as their destination.
Official data from the National Travel and Tourism Office reveals a concerning trend: foreign visitor numbers dropped by approximately 4% year-to-date through July. The situation appears even more grim looking ahead, with Tourism Economics projecting a potential full-year decline of 6.5% in 2025 if current patterns persist.
World Cup Economic Windfall
The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a game-changing opportunity for American tourism. According to joint estimates from FIFA and OpenEconomics, the tournament is expected to generate an impressive $30.5 billion in economic output while creating approximately 185,000 jobs across the host nation.
The tournament's scale is unprecedented, with projections indicating that around 40% of the expected 6.5 million attendees will be international visitors. These overseas guests are likely to stay for an average of 12 days, purchase two tickets per person, and spend approximately $416 daily during their visit.
Mixed Projections and Market Response
While FIFA has advised host cities to prepare for an equal split between domestic and international visitors, independent analysis from Tourism Economics suggests a more conservative estimate of 1.24 million foreign tourists. Despite this being lower than FIFA's projections, the numbers still represent a substantial boost capable of revitalizing the struggling tourism sector.
The market is already responding to the anticipated demand. Jaroslaw Grabczak, head of commercial product at online travel agency eSky, reported that searches for flights and accommodations during tournament dates have surged nearly 70% compared to the same period in 2025. He further predicts that accommodation prices could increase by 30% during the early stages of the event and potentially reach 60% hikes during the final match days.
Airbnb's commissioned survey indicates that approximately 232,000 guests will use their platform to book stays in US host cities, with each guest spending around $142 per night.
Political Uncertainties and International Perceptions
Potential political complications have emerged that could impact the tournament's success. President Trump recently threatened to remove World Cup games from Democrat-ruled states, specifically targeting Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and warning that games could be relocated if security concerns arise due to what he described as a "very liberal/communist mayor."
While Trump acknowledged the "huge economic boon" the event represents, his administration's stance toward non-US elements might deter some international fans. Jan Freitag, national director of hospitality analytics at CoStar Group, expressed concern that "the rhetoric from the administration against anything non-US is just pretty prevalent," potentially leading some European fans to skip the North American tournament in favor of future European-hosted World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the first tournament hosted across three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and the first to feature 48 teams. Scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the event promises to deliver both sporting excitement and significant economic benefits to the host nations, particularly the United States which will host games in 11 of the 16 North American host cities.
