World Cup in the US?

[rambot]

Next year the US is hosting the World Cup. That is a HUUUUUUUGE worldwide event.

Do you think that the immigration "crackdown" we see happenning now is going to affect attendance? There has been a NOT AT ALL subtle drop in tourism to the US in the last year.

Do you think World Cup organizers and FIFA are a bit anxious as they watch this unfold?

Personally, I would be. I will bet numbers will be lower for this WC in the United Sates and it will directly be attributable to curent policy.

On the plus side, hopefully Canada will get a BIG boost in tourism! I'd even heard talk of shifting some games from the US up to Canada (but that is all rumour at this point).

 

[Vambram]

The USA is going to have a HUGE and Big time increase in tourism due to the 2026 World Cup. We are also going to see that happen for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

 

[rambot]

The USA is going to have a HUGE and Big time increase in tourism due to the 2026 World Cup. We are also going to see that happen for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

So you believe the current trend of lower tourism is going to reverse? What do you think will happen that will cause the reverse?

Do you believe the stories of tourists getting held on flimsy bases are going to become not only less common but just not happenning at all?


LAstly, out of curiousity, do you think average citizens of other countries have a favourable view of America and trust their institutions?

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

So you believe the current trend of lower tourism is going to reverse? What do you think will happen that will cause the reverse?

Do you believe the stories of tourists getting held on flimsy bases are going to become not only less common but just not happenning at all?


LAstly, out of curiousity, do you think average citizens of other countries have a favourable view of America and trust their institutions?

No matter how many international visitors come to the US for the 2026 World Cup, the event will be successful and stadiums will be full. Despite a current decline in foreign tourism in 2025, it is still expected that 3-4 million ( initial estimate is 7 million) overseas visitors will attend FIFA 2026, making it a success.

 

[rambot]

No matter how many international visitors come to the US for the 2026 World Cup, the event will be successful and stadiums will be full.

You say that with confidence. I would expect to see some significant changes in American culture before that would be true.

Despite a current decline in foreign tourism in 2025, it is still expected that 3-4 million ( initial estimate is 7 million) overseas visitors will attend FIFA 2026, making it a success.

Well this article says they expected 40million 7 months ago.
USA unprepared for surge of international travellers for 2026 World Cup: study
I wanna look into typical world cup attendance numbers and see....

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Well this article says they expected 40million 7 months ago.
USA unprepared for surge of international travellers for 2026 World Cup: study
I wanna look into typical world cup attendance numbers and see....

That was total aggregate between several events in the next 3 years. 6 million were predicted for the World Cup.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

That was total aggregate between several events in the next 3 years. 6 million were predicted for the World Cup.

Google AI predicts 6-7 million visitors. So far in 2025, foreign tourism has declined, but if this trend continues, we can still expect 3-4 million foreign visitors for FIFA 2026.

 

[DaisyDay]

The US, unlike Mexico and Canada, will be charging an extra $250 for "Visa Integrity"to tourists from undesirable countries.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

Next year the US is hosting the World Cup. That is a HUUUUUUUGE worldwide event.

Do you think that the immigration "crackdown" we see happenning now is going to affect attendance? There has been a NOT AT ALL subtle drop in tourism to the US in the last year.

Maybe some but not really. The kind of people with the money and means to make the trip to the US and watch a World Cup game aren’t likely to be targeted by this administration. I do think these anti immigration policies will have some chilling effect on attendance but not enough to notice.

Do you think World Cup organizers and FIFA are a bit anxious as they watch this unfold?

No. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been embarrassingly slavish towards Trump. The FIFA mafia has had no problems in the past working with corrupt governments like Qatar and Russia and are looking to Saudi Arabia as future hosts. I don’t see them having any qualms about working with the Trump administration to host the Cup.

Personally, I would be. I will bet numbers will be lower for this WC in the United Sates and it will directly be attributable to curent policy.

Maybe in the stands but advertising and streaming are where they really make their money and for advertising, this is probably the best market on Earth.

On the plus side, hopefully Canada will get a BIG boost in tourism! I'd even heard talk of shifting some games from the US up to Canada (but that is all rumour at this point).

I’m hoping for a good tournament regardless. Hoping I can make it down to Mexico for a couple games at the Estadio Azteca a d maybe visit Canada as well. My team will be on the east coast but I think the quarter final match will be held here in LA so I’m really looking forward to (and saving up!) for that.

 

[rambot]

That was total aggregate between several events in the next 3 years. 6 million were predicted for the World Cup.

you got that in SUPER fast (I editted it within like 4 minutes! Well done!

 

[rambot]

Google AI predicts 6-7 million visitors. So far in 2025, foreign tourism has declined, but if this trend continues, we can still expect 3-4 million foreign visitors for FIFA 2026.

View attachment 369755

I wonder how google gets to that number.
When looking at the last few world cups, the numbers are closer to 1-3 million every time.
What IS telling is that Brazil's tourism TRIPLED from normal (300,000ish to over a million). I think THAT is a telling piece of data.
In my mind, I would guess that means that 3million foreign visitors for the WC would probably be pretty solid.

But if we go by Brazil's experience I think 3million would be a seriously low number

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Google AI predicts 6-7 million visitors. So far in 2025, foreign tourism has declined, but if this trend continues, we can still expect 3-4 million foreign visitors for FIFA 2026.

View attachment 369755

A 50% decline is tourism is significant.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

I wonder how google gets to that number.
When looking at the last few world cups, the numbers are closer to 1-3 million every time.
What IS telling is that Brazil's tourism TRIPLED from normal (300,000ish to over a million). I think THAT is a telling piece of data.
In my mind, I would guess that means that 3million foreign visitors for the WC would probably be pretty solid.

But if we go by Brazil's experience I think 3million would be a seriously low number

AI is essentially a glorify search engine that gathers and synthesizes information provided by humans to generate answers. Therefore, only trust AI results if you can verify that the source is reliable.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

A 50% decline is tourism is significant.

A 50% decline in tourism would present a significant challenge for the US economy. However, I believe that FIFA 2026 will proceed successfully even if 70% of international visitors don’t attend.

 

[rambot]

AI is essentially a glorify search engine that gathers and synthesizes information provided by humans to generate answers. Therefore, only trust AI results if you can verify that the source is reliable.

I've heard google was sabotaging their search results to steer people to google AI to search for stuff.
Personally, I don't think I would EVER trust AI generated information for the main reason (as mentioned), is, it's never cited.

It's the ultimate "I do my research online" tool...and it's going to lead to a Dunning Kruger effect at LEAST as bad as it already is..

I think. Maybe not.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

A 50% decline in tourism would present a significant challenge for the US economy. However, I believe that FIFA 2026 will proceed successfully even if 70% of international visitors don’t attend.

Why is that? Total cost to the US is anticipated to be between 2 and 3 billion dollars (the federal government has earmarked $625 million, and the 11 host cities are expected to spend another $100-200 million each depending on the number of events they're hosting. Some of that will be offset by corporate sponsorships, but reportedly, the city-level sponsorship deals that FIFA is selling are pretty small (single-digit millions), so in most cases, the cities are going to need to make up their costs with tourism dollars. Cutting the anticipated numbers by 50% (let alone 70%) is going to make a big difference in the financial calculus for the event.

 

[rambot]

Why is that? Total cost to the US is anticipated to be between 2 and 3 billion dollars (the federal government has earmarked $625 million, and the 11 host cities are expected to spend another $100-200 million each depending on the number of events they're hosting. Some of that will be offset by corporate sponsorships, but reportedly, the city-level sponsorship deals that FIFA is selling are pretty small (single-digit millions), so in most cases, the cities are going to need to make up their costs with tourism dollars. Cutting the anticipated numbers by 50% (let alone 70%) is going to make a big difference in the financial calculus for the event.

thanks for these numbers

 

[Larniavc]

LAstly, out of curiousity, do you think average citizens of other countries have a favourable view of America and trust their institutions?

We do not. Especially if one is not white.

 

[wing2000]

It will be a success if FIFA officials keept the POTUS away from the awards ceremony.

(Say, has he given back the trophy yet?)

 

[Chesterton]

We do not. Especially if one is not white.

Because U.K. and European media portray America in the worst possible light. Have you ever visited here?