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Beyond the Game: How the 2026 World Cup Will Move People and Economies
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, spanning 16 North American cities. It is likely to trigger a wave of economic activity and increased relocations in hospitality, security, sales, marketing, and event management. Mobility professionals and business travelers are encouraged to plan ahead for its wide-ranging impacts.
Where Will They Take Place Exactly?
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, North America is preparing for a cross-border spectacle set to drive regional economies. The tournament—spanning 11 June to 19 July 2026—will attract millions of fans and be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada including:
- United States (11): Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco/Bay Area, New York/New Jersey.
- Mexico (3): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
- Canada (2): Toronto, Vancouver
This vast geographic reach of matches is a major expansion in scope and scale compared to previous World Cups. The 2026 event features 48 teams—up from 32 in previous tournaments—and 104 matches, an increase from the traditional 64.
The World Cup is also fueling infrastructure investments and even temporary/permanent corporate relocations in sectors like hospitality, security, transport, sales, marketing and event management. Already, some companies are planning for the repositioning of key staff to host locations. Event planners are opening satellite offices, and security companies and some transport providers are relocating staff to meet anticipated demand.
What’s the Expected Economic Impact?
Officials project a multibillion-dollar economic windfall and tens of thousands of temporary jobs across North America:
- A Boston Consulting Group study projects that the 2026 World Cup could generate more than $5 billion in short-term economic activity across North America, supporting approximately 40,000 jobs and over $1 billion in incremental worker earnings.1
- Individual host cities may see $160–$620 million in incremental economic activity, with net benefits of about $90–$480 million per city.1
- Additional regional estimates reinforce strong economic benefits—for example, Atlanta anticipates $503.2 million in economic impact (including labor income)2, and Los Angeles could see $594 million in total regional economic impact and with an estimated $34.9 million of tax revenue generated for government entities in Los Angeles County.3
These figures underscore the enormous scale of operations expected: stadium upgrades (e.g., new turf and renovations), public transit expansions, new venue constructions, plus the boom in short-term accommodations, logistics, staffing, and security.
What’s the Potential Impact on Global Mobility
The 2026 World Cup host cities represent a strategic cross-section of markets—from major global hubs to large and mid-sized cities, so it will be seen as not a single “disruption event”, but perhaps 16 distinct ones.
Afterall, when the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, more than 3.5 million fans travelled to the country to watch matches across 9 major U.S. cities. In 2026, 5 to 7 million international visitors are expected to visit across the 16 playing locations mentioned above.
As every match will be a sellout in all three countries given that fans will attend from both their home countries and the games’ host countries, mobility professionals and business travelers/transferees are encouraged to plan ahead and consider the following:
- Travel Disruption: Airlines, rail providers, and transportation firms are expected to expand into key host city markets to handle and coordinate the increased operations, but expect and prepare for travel delays, hotel limitations and other challenges during the event period..
- Hotels/Temporary Housing Scarcity: Temporary housing in and around these 16 cities is expected to be limited in June and July and accommodation costs may likely be higher than normal.
- Immigration / Visa Wait Times: Though the U.S. will host 78 of the 104 matches, there is no clear evidence yet that the World Cup will directly cause delays for visas, however the anticipated surge in tourist visa applications could significantly increase the workload on certain U.S. embassies and consulates, potentially straining resources. If these offices are overwhelmed with visa requests for the World Cup, the wait times for all visa appointments could lengthen.
- Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries -- including most of Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia -- can enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, as long as they apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) first. See the full list of VWP countries here.4
Loren Locke, an immigration attorney and former Department of State consular officer, has been monitoring the complexities of recent U.S. immigration policy changes and the challenges they could pose for the World Cup. She told the Washington Examiner. “It’s really important that would-be World Cup attendees from abroad make sure they have their travel authorization in place before investing heavily in their travel plans.”5
What’s the Broader Story for Business Migration?
As the World Cup is more than a sporting event, it operates as a magnet for short-term corporate migration. For companies, the tournament can be a chance to test new markets and deploy people as necessary to capture both short and long-term value from a once-in-a-generation event.
From construction foremen dispatched for stadium refurbishments to security firms deploying teams to World Cup venues, businesses are already on the move. For example, the opening match in Mexico City will ignite a surge in hospitality and transport staffing; the final at MetLife Stadium -- in East Rutherford, New Jersey just outside New York City -- will be a surrounded by a massive effort around coordinated logistics and security.
Yet, the World Cup will leave behind more than stadium memories. It may spark infrastructure upgrades, jobs, and expanded business networks that has the opportunity to reshape the local economies for years.
Guidance and Updates Up To and Through the Matches
NEI will continue to keep you updates on this global event and its impact on the global mobility space. If you would like to discuss this or any other issue in greater detail, please reach out to your NEI representative at 800.533.7353.
NEI Global Relocation (NEI), a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), partners with over 200 clients—including Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, and Fortune 1000 companies—to deliver world-class global mobility and assignment management solutions. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices in Switzerland and Singapore, NEI helps companies transition employees smoothly across the globe.
NEI has consistently earned strong rankings in independent industry surveys, including the Trippel Nationwide Relocating Employee Survey and the Trippel Relocation Managers’ Survey, which highlight performance in both employee experience and client satisfaction. Recently, NEI has also been honored with multiple Gold Stevie® Awards, including recognition for Company of the Year – Business or Professional Services and Customer Satisfaction at the International and American Business Awards. These accolades reflect NEI’s commitment to service excellence and its leadership in the global mobility industry.
Combining consultative expertise, benchmarking, trend analysis, innovative technology, and end-to-end relocation solutions, NEI empowers organizations to make confident global mobility decisions and deliver exceptional relocation experiences.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
Sources:
1. US Soccer
3. Squarespace
4. Boundless
Beyond the Game: How the 2026 World Cup Will Move People and Economies
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, spanning 16 North American cities. It is likely to trigger a wave of economic activity and increased relocations in hospitality, security, sales, marketing, and event management. Mobility professionals and business travelers are encouraged to plan ahead for its wide-ranging impacts.
Where Will They Take Place Exactly?
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, North America is preparing for a cross-border spectacle set to drive regional economies. The tournament—spanning 11 June to 19 July 2026—will attract millions of fans and be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada including:
- United States (11): Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco/Bay Area, New York/New Jersey.
- Mexico (3): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
- Canada (2): Toronto, Vancouver
This vast geographic reach of matches is a major expansion in scope and scale compared to previous World Cups. The 2026 event features 48 teams—up from 32 in previous tournaments—and 104 matches, an increase from the traditional 64.
The World Cup is also fueling infrastructure investments and even temporary/permanent corporate relocations in sectors like hospitality, security, transport, sales, marketing and event management. Already, some companies are planning for the repositioning of key staff to host locations. Event planners are opening satellite offices, and security companies and some transport providers are relocating staff to meet anticipated demand.
What’s the Expected Economic Impact?
Officials project a multibillion-dollar economic windfall and tens of thousands of temporary jobs across North America:
- A Boston Consulting Group study projects that the 2026 World Cup could generate more than $5 billion in short-term economic activity across North America, supporting approximately 40,000 jobs and over $1 billion in incremental worker earnings.1
- Individual host cities may see $160–$620 million in incremental economic activity, with net benefits of about $90–$480 million per city.1
- Additional regional estimates reinforce strong economic benefits—for example, Atlanta anticipates $503.2 million in economic impact (including labor income)2, and Los Angeles could see $594 million in total regional economic impact and with an estimated $34.9 million of tax revenue generated for government entities in Los Angeles County.3
These figures underscore the enormous scale of operations expected: stadium upgrades (e.g., new turf and renovations), public transit expansions, new venue constructions, plus the boom in short-term accommodations, logistics, staffing, and security.
What’s the Potential Impact on Global Mobility
The 2026 World Cup host cities represent a strategic cross-section of markets—from major global hubs to large and mid-sized cities, so it will be seen as not a single “disruption event”, but perhaps 16 distinct ones.
Afterall, when the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, more than 3.5 million fans travelled to the country to watch matches across 9 major U.S. cities. In 2026, 5 to 7 million international visitors are expected to visit across the 16 playing locations mentioned above.
As every match will be a sellout in all three countries given that fans will attend from both their home countries and the games’ host countries, mobility professionals and business travelers/transferees are encouraged to plan ahead and consider the following:
- Travel Disruption: Airlines, rail providers, and transportation firms are expected to expand into key host city markets to handle and coordinate the increased operations, but expect and prepare for travel delays, hotel limitations and other challenges during the event period..
- Hotels/Temporary Housing Scarcity: Temporary housing in and around these 16 cities is expected to be limited in June and July and accommodation costs may likely be higher than normal.
- Immigration / Visa Wait Times: Though the U.S. will host 78 of the 104 matches, there is no clear evidence yet that the World Cup will directly cause delays for visas, however the anticipated surge in tourist visa applications could significantly increase the workload on certain U.S. embassies and consulates, potentially straining resources. If these offices are overwhelmed with visa requests for the World Cup, the wait times for all visa appointments could lengthen.
- Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries -- including most of Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia -- can enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, as long as they apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) first. See the full list of VWP countries here.4
Loren Locke, an immigration attorney and former Department of State consular officer, has been monitoring the complexities of recent U.S. immigration policy changes and the challenges they could pose for the World Cup. She told the Washington Examiner. “It’s really important that would-be World Cup attendees from abroad make sure they have their travel authorization in place before investing heavily in their travel plans.”5
What’s the Broader Story for Business Migration?
As the World Cup is more than a sporting event, it operates as a magnet for short-term corporate migration. For companies, the tournament can be a chance to test new markets and deploy people as necessary to capture both short and long-term value from a once-in-a-generation event.
From construction foremen dispatched for stadium refurbishments to security firms deploying teams to World Cup venues, businesses are already on the move. For example, the opening match in Mexico City will ignite a surge in hospitality and transport staffing; the final at MetLife Stadium -- in East Rutherford, New Jersey just outside New York City -- will be a surrounded by a massive effort around coordinated logistics and security.
Yet, the World Cup will leave behind more than stadium memories. It may spark infrastructure upgrades, jobs, and expanded business networks that has the opportunity to reshape the local economies for years.
Guidance and Updates Up To and Through the Matches
NEI will continue to keep you updates on this global event and its impact on the global mobility space. If you would like to discuss this or any other issue in greater detail, please reach out to your NEI representative at 800.533.7353.
NEI Global Relocation (NEI), a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), partners with over 200 clients—including Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, and Fortune 1000 companies—to deliver world-class global mobility and assignment management solutions. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices in Switzerland and Singapore, NEI helps companies transition employees smoothly across the globe.
NEI has consistently earned strong rankings in independent industry surveys, including the Trippel Nationwide Relocating Employee Survey and the Trippel Relocation Managers’ Survey, which highlight performance in both employee experience and client satisfaction. Recently, NEI has also been honored with multiple Gold Stevie® Awards, including recognition for Company of the Year – Business or Professional Services and Customer Satisfaction at the International and American Business Awards. These accolades reflect NEI’s commitment to service excellence and its leadership in the global mobility industry.
Combining consultative expertise, benchmarking, trend analysis, innovative technology, and end-to-end relocation solutions, NEI empowers organizations to make confident global mobility decisions and deliver exceptional relocation experiences.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
Sources:
1. US Soccer
3. Squarespace
4. Boundless
Beyond the Game: How the 2026 World Cup Will Move People and Economies
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, spanning 16 North American cities. It is likely to trigger a wave of economic activity and increased relocations in hospitality, security, sales, marketing, and event management. Mobility professionals and business travelers are encouraged to plan ahead for its wide-ranging impacts.
Where Will They Take Place Exactly?
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, North America is preparing for a cross-border spectacle set to drive regional economies. The tournament—spanning 11 June to 19 July 2026—will attract millions of fans and be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada including:
- United States (11): Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, San Francisco/Bay Area, New York/New Jersey.
- Mexico (3): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
- Canada (2): Toronto, Vancouver
This vast geographic reach of matches is a major expansion in scope and scale compared to previous World Cups. The 2026 event features 48 teams—up from 32 in previous tournaments—and 104 matches, an increase from the traditional 64.
The World Cup is also fueling infrastructure investments and even temporary/permanent corporate relocations in sectors like hospitality, security, transport, sales, marketing and event management. Already, some companies are planning for the repositioning of key staff to host locations. Event planners are opening satellite offices, and security companies and some transport providers are relocating staff to meet anticipated demand.
What’s the Expected Economic Impact?
Officials project a multibillion-dollar economic windfall and tens of thousands of temporary jobs across North America:
- A Boston Consulting Group study projects that the 2026 World Cup could generate more than $5 billion in short-term economic activity across North America, supporting approximately 40,000 jobs and over $1 billion in incremental worker earnings.1
- Individual host cities may see $160–$620 million in incremental economic activity, with net benefits of about $90–$480 million per city.1
- Additional regional estimates reinforce strong economic benefits—for example, Atlanta anticipates $503.2 million in economic impact (including labor income)2, and Los Angeles could see $594 million in total regional economic impact and with an estimated $34.9 million of tax revenue generated for government entities in Los Angeles County.3
These figures underscore the enormous scale of operations expected: stadium upgrades (e.g., new turf and renovations), public transit expansions, new venue constructions, plus the boom in short-term accommodations, logistics, staffing, and security.
What’s the Potential Impact on Global Mobility
The 2026 World Cup host cities represent a strategic cross-section of markets—from major global hubs to large and mid-sized cities, so it will be seen as not a single “disruption event”, but perhaps 16 distinct ones.
Afterall, when the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, more than 3.5 million fans travelled to the country to watch matches across 9 major U.S. cities. In 2026, 5 to 7 million international visitors are expected to visit across the 16 playing locations mentioned above.
As every match will be a sellout in all three countries given that fans will attend from both their home countries and the games’ host countries, mobility professionals and business travelers/transferees are encouraged to plan ahead and consider the following:
- Travel Disruption: Airlines, rail providers, and transportation firms are expected to expand into key host city markets to handle and coordinate the increased operations, but expect and prepare for travel delays, hotel limitations and other challenges during the event period..
- Hotels/Temporary Housing Scarcity: Temporary housing in and around these 16 cities is expected to be limited in June and July and accommodation costs may likely be higher than normal.
- Immigration / Visa Wait Times: Though the U.S. will host 78 of the 104 matches, there is no clear evidence yet that the World Cup will directly cause delays for visas, however the anticipated surge in tourist visa applications could significantly increase the workload on certain U.S. embassies and consulates, potentially straining resources. If these offices are overwhelmed with visa requests for the World Cup, the wait times for all visa appointments could lengthen.
- Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries -- including most of Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia -- can enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, as long as they apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) first. See the full list of VWP countries here.4
Loren Locke, an immigration attorney and former Department of State consular officer, has been monitoring the complexities of recent U.S. immigration policy changes and the challenges they could pose for the World Cup. She told the Washington Examiner. “It’s really important that would-be World Cup attendees from abroad make sure they have their travel authorization in place before investing heavily in their travel plans.”5
What’s the Broader Story for Business Migration?
As the World Cup is more than a sporting event, it operates as a magnet for short-term corporate migration. For companies, the tournament can be a chance to test new markets and deploy people as necessary to capture both short and long-term value from a once-in-a-generation event.
From construction foremen dispatched for stadium refurbishments to security firms deploying teams to World Cup venues, businesses are already on the move. For example, the opening match in Mexico City will ignite a surge in hospitality and transport staffing; the final at MetLife Stadium -- in East Rutherford, New Jersey just outside New York City -- will be a surrounded by a massive effort around coordinated logistics and security.
Yet, the World Cup will leave behind more than stadium memories. It may spark infrastructure upgrades, jobs, and expanded business networks that has the opportunity to reshape the local economies for years.
Guidance and Updates Up To and Through the Matches
NEI will continue to keep you updates on this global event and its impact on the global mobility space. If you would like to discuss this or any other issue in greater detail, please reach out to your NEI representative at 800.533.7353.
NEI Global Relocation (NEI), a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), partners with over 200 clients—including Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, and Fortune 1000 companies—to deliver world-class global mobility and assignment management solutions. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices in Switzerland and Singapore, NEI helps companies transition employees smoothly across the globe.
NEI has consistently earned strong rankings in independent industry surveys, including the Trippel Nationwide Relocating Employee Survey and the Trippel Relocation Managers’ Survey, which highlight performance in both employee experience and client satisfaction. Recently, NEI has also been honored with multiple Gold Stevie® Awards, including recognition for Company of the Year – Business or Professional Services and Customer Satisfaction at the International and American Business Awards. These accolades reflect NEI’s commitment to service excellence and its leadership in the global mobility industry.
Combining consultative expertise, benchmarking, trend analysis, innovative technology, and end-to-end relocation solutions, NEI empowers organizations to make confident global mobility decisions and deliver exceptional relocation experiences.
This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
Sources:
1. US Soccer
3. Squarespace
4. Boundless
