Foreign soccer fans are largely staying away from the 2026 World Cup, and this could seriously impact the economic boost that U.S. hotels and host cities had anticipated. A recent report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) highlights some alarming trends.
Currently, nearly 80% of hotel operators in nine out of eleven U.S. host cities say their bookings aren’t meeting initial forecasts. Despite over 5 million tickets sold, hotel room reservations are lagging. FIFA’s cancellation of around 70% of its room blocks has worsened the situation, leading to cancellations in some areas of up to 95%.
Various factors contribute to this reluctance among international travelers. Visa delays, fears about treatment by immigration officials, high airfare prices, and global tensions are keeping many fans at home. The AHLA noted that international attendees were expected to spend an average of $5,048 each—much higher than typical visitors. A third of these fans had planned to stay longer than two weeks, often traveling between multiple cities.
The report warns that expectations for an economic lift from the World Cup might be too optimistic. “Domestic travelers are outpacing international travelers, which could jeopardize the broader economic impact,” it stated. This is concerning, especially after President Trump claimed the tournament would drive a $30 billion economic boost and create nearly 200,000 jobs.
Interestingly, the report hints at a perception issue. Potential visitors feel that navigating the entry process to the U.S. has become tougher due to recent immigration policies. This creates the feeling that they won’t receive a warm welcome, which may deter them from coming.
While American fans are booking hotels, their spending cannot compensate for what international visitors would typically contribute. For instance, nationwide revenue per available room is expected to rise 1.7% during the tournament, but that number drops to just 0.2% without the World Cup’s influence.
The hotel industry invested heavily, setting up fan zones and improving services. However, with reservation numbers dwindling, many have paused additional spending on World Cup preparations. Cities like Kansas City and Boston report bookings up to 80% lower than expected.
The situation is compounded by rising taxes. New Jersey is considering increasing its lodging tax from 5% to 7.5%, which could discourage visitors. Philadelphia’s plans to hike its hotel tax from 8.5% to 10.5% could cost the city thousands of jobs and millions in economic activity.
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19 across 11 U.S. cities. While hotels hope for a last-minute surge of bookings as the games progress, the current outlook remains concerning. As opening day nears, many in the hospitality industry are forced to rethink their strategies.
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