El Mundial 2026: A Victory for FIFA, But Not Necessarily for the Hosts
The 2026 World Cup has proven to be a monumental event for FIFA, encapsulating a mix of undeniable financial success and a less-than-stellar experience for the host cities, particularly in the United States. Despite grand promises of a windfall from the tournament, the reality for local businesses and communities appears to be much more nuanced.
Financial Bonanza for FIFA
FIFA is set to reap extraordinary financial rewards from this World Cup, with estimates suggesting they will walk away with between $9 billion and $11 billion, thanks to the expanded format, which allows for 48 teams instead of the traditional 32. The inclusion of additional teams has drawn larger crowds, leading to record attendance figures in stadiums across the country.
Disappointment for Local Businesses
However, the same cannot be said for many local business owners who anticipated a surge in revenue. In Kansas, for instance, business owners like Teresa Grado, the proprietor of Lilly’s Cantina, expected an influx of $653 million and 650,000 visitors. Yet, the reality fell short. “Most of my regular customers said they wouldn’t come due to traffic and crowds, and they were right,” she lamented on local television.
Also, Jim Desauguste, who owns a Caribbean eatery, expressed frustration: “The World Cup hasn’t benefited us at all.” Reports indicate that about 80% of hotels in the 11 U.S. host cities saw occupancy rates below projections, largely attributed to visa restrictions and an unfavorable geopolitical climate.
Unforeseen Challenges
The lead-up to the tournament was fraught with challenges. The U.S. was the only major tourist destination to experience a downturn in visitors last year, which experts attribute to the negative perception of previous immigration policies. Notably, incidents involving a Somali referee being denied entry despite having a visa, and Iranian player Aymen Hussein being detained for seven hours at Chicago O’Hare, further marred the experience for many international guests.
Despite these setbacks, stadiums have experienced unprecedented attendance, with over 6.5 million fans attending, shattering the previous record of 3.5 million set in 1994. Additionally, June 16 saw a remarkable one-day attendance record of over 281,000 fans across four matches.
Economic Upsurge in Major Cities
Interestingly, while the ticket revenue predominantly benefits FIFA, a study by Bank of America indicates that consumer spending has surged by 6% in cities like Los Angeles and Miami during the early weeks of the World Cup. The unique culinary trends, such as the viral phenomenon of “ranch dressing”, captivated international fans, turning mundane grocery experiences into cultural highlights.
Cultural Observations by Visitors
Cities like Boston experienced a cultural influx, humorously nicknamed “New Scotland” due to an upsurge in fans from abroad. Visitors were captivated by the size of American food portions and the quirks of local stores, where one can buy everything from groceries to guns under one roof.
The Dark Side of the Tournament
Off the field, political overtones shadowed the event, highlighted by Donald Trump‘s admission that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to intervene in a red card decision. This confession added to the ongoing narrative of FIFA’s purported corruption, where promises fell far short of expectations.
Conclusion
In summation, while the 2026 World Cup marks a new era of commercial triumph for FIFA, the varied experiences of host cities paint a different picture. The event has certainly made waves within stadiums, yet the wider economic and cultural impacts have been far more complex, leaving both excitement and disappointment in its wake.