The event is not playing well in the States.
You have to wonder whether FIFA, the governing body of international football or soccer, has buyer’s remorse with its crown jewel event, the 2026 Men’s World Cup, playing matches in Canada, Mexico and especially the United States. Once upon a time, eight years ago, FIFA officials were probably dreaming of American greenbacks, Canadian loonies and Mexican pesos flowing into the business. FIFA is staring at an economic mess because of American tariffs, wars and immigration crackdowns in the United States. It appears that some of the well-heeled football fans who normally would make the trip to watch a World Cup game plan to skip American venues. On April 10th, 2017, the United States, Canada and Mexico announced that the three countries would bid for the 2026 World Cup and President Donald Trump expressed support for the bid. FIFA waived its no co-hosting rule and awarded the event to the united bid on June 13th, 2018.
There are sixteen cities or markets hosting the 2026 World Cup matches. Mexico is hosting contests. Canada gets matches in Toronto, which is the economic capital of Canada, and in Vancouver, which is Canada’s gateway to Asia. Eleven American cities will host contests, Santa Clara, California, Los Angeles, Seattle, Arlington, Texas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Foxboro, Massachusetts, Miami, Philadelphia and the championship game scheduled for East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19th. FIFA has navigated through difficult waters before but this is different. There is criticism about the high cost of tickets. American hotel owners expected a World Cup economic windfall and that hasn’t happened. The American hospitality industry said most hotels in host cities bookings are lower than last year. Remarkably none of the participating countries threatened to boycott the event. Somehow FIFA has kept a lid on athletes criticizing the World Cup.
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