The United States is turning into a centerpiece for global sport, with the 2025 Club World Cup already staged there and the 2026 World Cup now approaching.
The run continues with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, giving Donald Trump’s administration a major platform around tourism, security, infrastructure and international attention.
This is why the financial estimates matter. Beyond the football itself, Washington expects the next FIFA tournament to move serious money through American cities.
World Cup 2026 could deliver major GDP boost for the United States
According to the White House FIFA 2026 Task Force, the World Cup alone is projected to generate $40.9bn in gross output and $17.2bn in U.S. GDP.
When the 2025 Club World Cup won by Chelsea is added, the administration says the two FIFA events are projected to contribute a combined $62bn to GDP.
The benefit is expected to come through visitors, hotels, restaurants, transport, retail and event staffing across the 11 U.S. host cities staging World Cup matches.
There is still a necessary caveat. FIFA-linked figures are optimistic, while ABC News noted economists often warn mega-events can underperform because spending shifts rather than creates demand.
Some money also flows to FIFA through tickets and merchandise, not local businesses. That means the biggest winners may be hotels, bars and restaurants near stadiums.
Even with that caution, the scale is significant. For the U.S., the World Cup is not just a month of football, but another test of sport as economic strategy.
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