FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™
Ex-ante socio-economic impact analysis of the FIFA World Cup 2026™
inclusive growth and sustainable global trade
Economic impact
Global economy
80.1
USD billion
GROSS OUTPUT
40.9
USD billion
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
824k
FULL-TIME EQ (FTE)
JOBS CREATED
9.4
USD billion
GOVERNMENT REVENUE
USA
30.5
USD billion
GROSS OUTPUT
17.2
USD billion
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
185k
FULL-TIME EQ (FTE)
JOBS CREATED
3.4
USD billion
GOVERNMENT REVENUE
Social impact
Global economy
8.28
USD billion
SOCIAL BENEFITS
3.64
SROI ratio
SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT
USA
6.88
USD billion
SOCIAL BENEFITS
4.03
SROI ratio
SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Source: OpenEconomics elaboration based on FIFA data
Main Economic and Social Impacts
FIFA and the WTO promoted an ex-ante analysis of the global socio-economic impacts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the event-related social and economic impact, capturing both tangible and intangible benefits through a structured and comprehensive analysis.
The analysis adopts both the Impact Analysis methodology and Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology aligned with OECD guidelines, to evaluate the value generated relative to the investments made. This methodology incorporates stakeholder engagement, outcome mapping, monetization, and the discounting of future benefits.
To provide a comprehensive picture, the socio-economic impact analysis uses an inter-country SAM matrix with a breakdown into 45 productive sectors and 76 different countries.
This double approach allows us to trace how initial expenditures related to the FIFA World Cup 2026™—ranging from infrastructure investment to tourist spending—ripple through various sectors of the global economy, providing insights into the direct, indirect, and induced effects of this global event on both economic and social levels (see Technical Report).
A detailed analysis for Canada and Mexico is in progress.
The FIFA World Cup™ is the most prestigious event in international football, bringing together the best national teams from around the world to compete for global glory.
In 2026, the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup™ will be staged, showing an unprecedented level of competition and diversity.
The tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, is set to redefine expectations both on and off the field during the FIFA World Cup™, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Following the 5 billion people who engaged with the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup™, an even greater worldwide audience is expected to tune in and experience a historic showcase of football, uniting nations across continents in an unforgettable summer of competition and camaraderie.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be jointly hosted across 16 cities in North America, leveraging the region’s strong sports infrastructure and passion. Matches will occur in the U.S. cities Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco, Mexico’s Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, and Canada’s Toronto and Vancouver. These cities were chosen for their capacity to host large events, international connectivity, and ability to offer football excitement alongside unique cultural experiences.
The estimated economic impacts of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ are significant, with a global gross output of USD 80.1 billion and a gross domestic product (GDP) growth contribution of USD 40.9 billion. Additionally, 824 thousand full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs are generated through direct, indirect, and induced effects, and new labor income amounts to USD 20.8 billion. When examining the impacts on the individual host countries, the United States is projected to experience the largest economic boost, with a gross output of USD 30.5 billion, contributing USD 17.2 billion to its GDP, while creating 185 thousand FTE jobs and generating USD 10.2 billion in labor income.
The event as a whole also generates USD 9.4 billion in government revenue, with USD 3.4 billion in the USA.
In addition to its economic impact, the analysis for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ also highlights a significant social dimension, projecting a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 3.78. This figure is calculated by dividing the total estimated benefits of USD 8.28 billion by FIFA’s allocated budget of USD 2.28 billion, with values adjusted using shadow prices. In other words, when examining the social impact, every dollar invested is expected to yield a return of USD 3.78 in societal benefits. The USA in specific has a SROI of 4.03 and a social benefit of USD 6.88 billion.
A global event
104
MATCHES
48
TEAMS
1,248
ATHLETES
16
VENUES
Source: OpenEconomics elaboration based on FIFA data
The largest World Cup ever
The event framework
Canada
Mexico
USA
The tournament, hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, is set to shatter records both on and off the field. Following FIFA’s decision, the number of teams increased from 32 to 48.
Stadium attendance is projected to surpass previous benchmarks, with expectations of 6,517 thousand fans attending the 104 games across the 39-day-long tournament.
The final, to be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd, with similar high turnouts expected at multiple matches throughout this groundbreaking tournament. A new benchmark will also be set for the number of stadiums used, with matches played across 16 venues across the 3 hosting countries.
As fans flock to stadiums, 5 billion spectators are also expected to tune in across the world. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is projected to reach unprecedented levels of viewership, drawing an unprecedented global audience. Record-breaking viewership figures are anticipated in several countries, including the United States, Europe, and South America, where interest in the tournament is expected to reach new heights.
Event expenditure
The FIFA World Cup 2026™, a tournament jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States involves a total expenditure of $ 13.9 billion, encompassing capital investments, host city costs and expected tourist spending for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup™ across three countries. The U.S. accounts for USD 11.1 billion.
Total expenditure of USD 13.9 billion is divided into two types: FIFA World Cup™ expenses (close to USD 6.5 billion) and tourism expenses related to the event (USD 7.5 billion).
Tourism expenditure is calculated using several key assumptions. Total stadium attendance is estimated at 6,517 thousand, based on 90% of the stadiums’ full capacity, according to FIFA data.
Assuming that 40% of the total stadium attendance consists of foreign tourists, and that they are accompanied by an additional 15% as companions, we estimate that each tourist attends an average of two matches.
To determine the total expenditure, the estimated number of tourists is multiplied by $416, the average daily spending per tourist, and then by 12 days, which reflects a realistic estimate of the average length of stay and expenditure for such an event across the three hosting countries.
Investments in event-related expenses, encompassing team services and operations, communication, marketing rights, venue & competition and administration & finance are all included in the FIFA expenditure, accounting for USD 2.2 billion and 18% of the total. Additionally, an initial estimate of the prize money has been considered, drawing from the total amount allocated for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Other expenses include USD 1.8 billion in host city operational expenditure, accounting for 13%, with capital investments comprising 6%, or USD 900 million.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup™ is set to see a significant leap in overall expenditure, with USD 13.9 billion acting as an economic shock for both local as well as global economies, marking a substantial increase from the previous edition. This considerable growth in investment is a clear indicator of the rising appreciation and value placed on club football. Moreover, it reflects increased investment, commercial earnings, and popularity.
Insights on global trade
Goods and services by type, source and destination
The diagram shows the flows of final and intermediate goods between importing sectors in the United States and exporting sectors driven by FIFA World Cup™. The competition serves as a catalyst for local sectors, stimulating demand for goods and services and fostering global transactions. These intersectoral linkages, including second-round effects, create a multiplier effect on the global economy, facilitating the redistribution of resources on a global scale.
*“Arts and sports” cover ISIC Rev. 4 Divisions 90 to 93, also including other entertainment and recreation services.
The increased local demand for goods and services in the USA leads to imports from the rest of the world.
Through these trade linkages, the FIFA World Cup™ organized in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. also affects other economies, including developing and developed regions. The extent and nature of these impacts vary according to each economy’s specialization and their respective positions within global value chains.
Which are the main trade channels of the event?
The FIFA World Cup™ stimulates trade across countries in two different phases :
- The first phase relates to financing the event through the export of services worldwide, such as media rights and sponsorship rights. These are purchased by corporations in sectors like sports apparel manufacturing and food and beverages, with companies in these sectors also purchasing marketing rights.
- Then, FIFA and the local organizing committees spend the collected funds to facilitate the activation of trade exchanges between countries. Indeed, while part of the funds is spent in the host country on energy and infrastructure and team preparation activities, the remaining expenditure is dedicated to importing goods and services from abroad.
The study and its main outcomes
Economic Impact
ECONOMIC
SHOCK
Expenditure activates value added and employment worldwide.
13.9
USD billion
TOTAL
EXPENDITURE
37% Accommodation
19% Other sectors
18% Air transport
7% Wholesale & Retail
7% Real estate
6% Arts & Entertainment
6% Public Administration
ECONOMIC RESPONSE
Gross and net (GDP) impact generated locally and worldwide.
80.1
USD billion
GROSS
OUTPUT
40.9
USD billion
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
EFFECT ON LABOR & TAXES
Full time workers employed and taxes generated by the competition.
824k
FULL-TIME EQ. (FTE)
JOBS
CREATED
9.4
USD billion
GOVERNMENT REVENUE
Source: OpenEconomics elaboration based on FIFA data
Main Economic Impacts
on the global and local economy
The USD 13.9 billion expenditure is modelled in this analysis as an exogenous demand shock for the local economy; this inflow of resources activates an economic cycle that results in a positive impact of USD 80.1 billion in gross output and of around USD 40.9 billion on global GDP. This economic impact stems from the direct, indirect, and induced effects of the economic shock.
At the same time, the event is expected to generate 824 thousand full-time equivalent jobs and government revenue for USD 9.4 billion worldwide. GDP and employment impacts involve both male and female workforce from low- to middle-income and high-income economies. Although the initial expenditure belongs to the football event-specific economic sectors, its impact in terms of GDP and employment reaches a wider range of economic sectors worldwide.
Bear in mind that this analysis does not consider the opportunity costs of this expenditure (see Technical Report for a detail account of the methodology and limitations). It does, however, show how its effects propagate in the economy.
The FIFA World Cup™ impacts global GDP through direct, indirect, and induced effects:
- Direct impact refers to the value added generated by sectors involved in the event delivery.
- Indirect impact refers to the value added by sectors supplying goods and services through value chains.
- Induced impact is the effect on global GDP from increased household spending on goods and services due to higher income.
Both the indirect and induced components exceed the revenue directly generated by the event. This highlights the strong production and trade interconnection between the hosting countries and foreign economies.
Direct, indirect and induced impacts:
the case of travel and accomodation sector
The USD 13.9 billion expenditure constitutes the analyzed exogenous shock to the economy, with an impact that can be broken down into three rounds.
To clarify what each round of impacts entails, we can consider the example of the accommodation and food expenses related to the FIFA World Cup™:
- In this case, the direct impact is the value added generated in that specific sector, namely labor bills, and revenues from the sale of goods and services provided by accommodation facilities, restaurants, and similar businesses.
- The Indirect impact, then, stems from the increase in value added along the value chains activated by the food and accommodation sector, such as demand for unprocessed food, telecommunications, real estate services (including travel agencies), general wholesale intermediate goods, and agricultural goods.
- Finally, the induced impact is determined by the effect of reintroducing household income into the economy, meaning that people benefiting from the direct and indirect increases in value added spend part of their income on goods and services that in turn activate global value chains.
Labor income from the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is similar in the USA at USD 10.2 billion if compared to USD 10.6 billion in the rest of the world.
However, the event generates relatively fewer jobs in the United States due to structural features of the labor market, where employment is predominantly concentrated among high-skilled, high-wage workers. The services sector has the most employment worldwide. In the hosting countries, the Accommodation and Transport sectors see the largest job growth due to hosting the tournament, while in other countries, the Wholesale and retail trade as well as Agriculture sector experience the greatest impact.
Social Impact
TOTAL BENEFITS
Sum of entertainment, sport and tourism benefits
8.28
USD billion
SOCIAL BENEFITS
SOCIAL OUTPUT
Ratio between net present value and net investment
3.64
SROI ratio
SOICIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Source: OpenEconomics elaboration based on FIFA data
Main Social Impacts
on society and communities
Social Return on Investment (SROI) goes beyond financial metrics to measure the true impact of investments—considering improvements in health, well-being, and community connections.
Built on Social Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (SGAAP), SROI follows an input-output-outcome model (investments → benefits → actions) to assess the social value created. Using the Theory of Change, this approach identifies the key drivers behind meaningful change for stakeholders.
By calculating the ratio of total social benefits to investment costs, SROI helps organizations understand how much social value is generated for every dollar spent—ensuring a deeper, more impactful return on investment.
A key application of this methodology is the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™, which is projected to generate an estimated USD 8.28 billion in social and economic benefits.
Tourism-related benefit is assessed in terms of consumer surplus, estimated using the “rule of half”. This approach assumes a linear distribution of benefits and allows for the quantification of the economic advantage perceived by tourists relative to the price they pay. The analysis captures both the benefits arising from tourism during the event itself and the legacy effects in the following years.
Sports development benefits, meanwhile, are based on an estimation of 5 million local spectators attending matches, providing a foundation for calculating savings in healthcare costs, reductions in crime rates, and increased spending on injuries (a negative benefit) through applied proxies.
Entertainment value derives from consumer surplus, factoring in the time value for U.S. residents and tourists alike, while social media engagement adds further value, measured by the cost per click.
The analysis for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ highlights a significant social dimension, projecting a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 3.64. This figure is calculated by dividing the total estimated benefits of USD 8.28 billion by economic cost of USD 2.28 billion, with values adjusted using shadow prices. In other words, when examining the social impact, every dollar invested is expected to yield a return of USD 3.64 in societal benefits.
Detail on the United States
A more in-depth analysis of the USA was also conducted, while accounting for the previously mentioned variables.
For the USA, the SROI value is 4.03, where the social benefits account for 6.88 billion, or 78% of the entire event. Tourism accounts for most of the benefits, USD 4.11 billion. This includes revenues from tourism during the event itself and the legacy impact of the event in subsequent years. The benefits associated with sport amount to USD 2.37 billion, driven by new participants whose engagement leads to future savings in healthcare costs and a reduction in crime. However, this is also accompanied by an increase in injury-related expenditures.
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