For one month, thousands of people from every corner of the planet will leave their daily routines behind to embark on a journey that, for many, will become one of the most intense memories of their lives: experiencing a World Cup from the inside. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will not only be a global sporting spectacle, but also a massive mobilization of people, emotions, and economic resources. While the ball rolls in the stadiums, a complex machinery operates behind the tournament, driving tourism, commerce, and urban development in the host cities.

Within this dynamic, accommodation becomes a key element in absorbing the massive arrival of fans. To address this demand, FIFA established an agreement with the platform Airbnb to expand lodging options in the host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the company’s estimates, visitor spending through its platform during the tournament will reach $3.6 billion, a figure that includes not only accommodation, but also transportation, dining, and other activities that form part of the World Cup experience.

A month of football that multiplies tourism and consumption

During the period in which the tournament takes place, the volume of international tourists surges, along with the demand for accommodation. According to a report prepared by Airbnb, visitors will book around 2.7 million nights through the platform during the month-long competition. This flow of reservations reflects how the World Cup becomes one of the largest tourism events on the planet, capable of attracting millions of people in a very short period of time.

This movement will have a direct impact on the household economies of those who choose to host fans in their homes. It is estimated that Airbnb hosts will earn around $212 million in income during the tournament. In addition, the platform has planned an additional incentive of $750 for users who make their homes available to host visitors, a measure aimed at expanding accommodation capacity in the cities that will host matches.

The economic legacy and tourism that continues after the tournament

The economic impact of the World Cup will also be reflected in job creation and in the activation of multiple sectors linked to tourism. Airbnb estimates that the economic activity generated by travel will support around 35,000 full-time jobs across the three host countries, ranging from hospitality services to transportation, retail, and cultural activities associated with the arrival of visitors.

Beyond the tournament itself, the event can also become a powerful international promotional tool for the host cities. The platform’s report estimates that five years after the competition, around 1.7 million additional nights could be generated thanks to so-called return tourism, led by travelers who decide to revisit destinations they first discovered during the World Cup. This flow could translate into nearly $495 million in additional spending and approximately $1.5 billion in total economic activity, showing how the impact of a World Cup can extend long after the final match has been played.