World Cup 2026 – Football, Economic Structure, and Economic Impact

June 10, 2026

Sergio Olarte

Macro Reasearch Department

 

This analysis, prepared by our Economic Research Department, examines the expected economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the channels through which the event could influence regional economic activity, and the opportunities it may create for key sectors such as tourism, trade, transportation, and services.
 

Some key highlights from the report:

 

  • In just a few days, the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup will begin. For the first time in history, the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to a FIFA study, the 2026 World Cup is expected to generate nearly USD 41 billion in economic impact, roughly equivalent to half of Panama’s GDP.
  • In addition, the 2026 World Cup will debut a new format, expanding from 32 to 48 participating national teams. As a result, the total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104. The expansion will allow for greater representation from Latin America, reaching one of the highest levels in the tournament’s history, with nine teams from Latin America and the Caribbean qualifying for the competition.
  • From an economic perspective, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a historic-scale event with a significant economic impact, although one that is geographically concentrated and largely temporary in nature. Tourism will be the main transmission channel, boosting services activity and consumer spending, with direct effects concentrated in the host countries and only limited spillovers across the rest of the region.
  • Historically, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have been the Latin American countries with the highest participation in World Cup tournaments. Brazil has won the trophy five times, while Argentina has claimed three titles. At the same time, the evidence suggests that there is no direct relationship between being a football powerhouse and being an economic powerhouse.
  • Within the region, the economic effects of the 2026 World Cup will be concentrated in Mexico, the only Latin American host country, where the direct impacts of the event will materialize. The tournament is expected to provide a significant boost to key sectors such as tourism, accommodation, retail trade, and transportation. These effects, together with their spillovers into related service industries, are likely to provide a temporary lift to economic growth during the tournament year. Estimates suggest that the World Cup could add approximately 0.2 percentage points to Mexico’s economic growth in 2026.

 

Read the full report here: World Cup 2026 - The effects of football on the economy