USA FIFA World Cup tourism boom at risk as hotel bookings fall below expectations

Hotel bookings for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States have fallen short of initial projections, raising concerns about the expected tourism windfall. Industry data shows that reservations in host cities are lagging behind the levels forecasted by tourism officials and hospitality groups.

The shortfall comes despite high hopes that the tournament would draw millions of international visitors and generate billions in economic impact. Analysts point to factors such as high hotel prices, limited availability of affordable accommodations, and competition from other major events as possible reasons for the weaker demand.

Local tourism boards in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas have reported softer-than-expected advance bookings. Some hoteliers have begun adjusting rates and offering promotions to attract travelers, a move that could reduce overall revenue from the event.

The trend has prompted reassessments of economic projections for the World Cup, which is set to be the largest in history with 48 teams and matches across 16 US cities. Officials remain optimistic that last-minute bookings and walk-in traffic will close the gap, but the current data suggests a more tempered outcome than initially anticipated.