2026 FIFA World Cup Eyes 6 Billion Viewers, $40.9B Economic Value

According to Barron's, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to attract approximately 6 billion viewers globally and generate up to $40.9 billion in economic value. The tournament will feature 48 teams competing across 104 matches over 39 days, with 75% of games held in U.S. cities.

FIFA reported that over 5 million tickets have already been sold, surpassing the 3.5 million attendance record from the 1994 World Cup. Total in-person attendance is projected to reach 6.5 million, driving significant demand across ticketing, hospitality, and transportation sectors.