U.S. President Donald Trump has highlighted what he described as the significant economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to increased consumer spending, job creation and a major boost in tourism across the United States.
Speaking about the tournament’s economic legacy, Trump said the World Cup generated an estimated $18 billion for the U.S. economy and supported more than 160,000 jobs.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, brought millions of visitors and football supporters to cities across North America, with the United States hosting the majority of the matches.
RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT
Trump also pointed to a sharp increase in restaurant spending during the tournament, saying restaurant expenditure rose by approximately 80%.
The increase reflects the broader economic activity generated when international visitors and domestic fans travel to host cities, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, use transportation services and spend money on entertainment and local attractions.
For businesses in host cities, major sporting events can provide a temporary surge in demand while also giving cities an opportunity to showcase themselves to international visitors.
TOURISM DRIVES ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
The World Cup also coincided with what Trump described as a strong U.S. travel season.
According to figures cited by the president, Americans travelled approximately 290 billion highway miles, while national parks recorded around 78 million visitors.
The figures were presented as evidence of strong domestic travel and consumer activity, adding another layer to the economic boost associated with the tournament.
The influx of international visitors also provided opportunities for American cities and businesses to benefit from increased spending on accommodation, transportation, hospitality and tourism.
TRUMP PRAISES SECURITY AND PEACEFUL TOURNAMENT
Trump also praised the security operation surrounding the World Cup, highlighting what he described as the absence of major riots or significant security incidents during the tournament.
He credited federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies for helping maintain order and ensuring that fans and visitors could attend matches safely.
The president said the peaceful execution of the tournament was an important achievement given its enormous scale and the number of people travelling between host cities.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2028 OLYMPICS
Trump also linked the World Cup’s economic impact to another major international sporting event coming to the United States: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Olympics are expected to bring another large wave of international visitors and domestic travel, providing opportunities for American businesses and host communities.
The successful staging of the World Cup, Trump argued, demonstrates the potential economic benefits of hosting major international sporting events while showcasing the United States to a global audience.
A MAJOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Beyond the football matches themselves, the 2026 World Cup created a vast economic ecosystem involving restaurants, hotels, airlines, transport companies, retailers, tourism operators and local businesses.
For the United States, the tournament provided an opportunity to combine sport with tourism and economic activity on an international scale.
Trump’s figures point to the broader economic potential of major sporting events, particularly when millions of visitors travel across multiple cities and regions.
With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics now on the horizon, attention is turning to whether the economic momentum generated by the World Cup can be extended into another major international sporting event.
