World Cup 2026 host cities hope for big economic boost
Host committees in the USA are discussing ways in which to leverage next summer’s World Cup to bring new business to their cities and boost economic development.
World Cup
FIFA and Trump drop Vegas plan in favour of holding the 2026 Final draw in Washington
August 25 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino continued his bromance with US president Donald Trump with the announcement in the Oval office that the final draw for the 48-team World Cup would be held in the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Houston names Arca Continental Coca-Cola as an official 2026 supporter
August 21 – The commercial journey towards the 2026 World Cup is gathering pace as the 16 host cities (10 in the USA), start to announce and activate their local sponsor supporters. Houston has unveiled Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB) as an Official Supporter.
Snoop Dogg is LA’s Face for World Cup 2026
August 19 – Los Angeles has pulled off its biggest coup yet for the 2026 World Cup, landing the famed rapper, producer, and actor Snoop Dogg as the face of their community outreach efforts.
FIFA wants volunteer numbers TRIPLED at World Cup 2026
August 12 – FIFA has opened volunteer applications for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada – and with 48 teams and 104 games across 16 venues spanning North America at the expanded football showcase, plenty of hands are needed.
World football’s governing body are looking for around 65,000 volunteers – more than triple that of the World Cup in Qatar three years ago – rolling out the biggest volunteer request in the organisation’s history to match the new-look format with more teams than ever.
Jamaica recruit Mason Greenwood to final 2026 qualifying push
August 6 – After a disappointing Gold Cup performance this summer and with the final group stages of Concacaf World Cup qualifying set to start in September, Jamaica are again trawling their English diaspora for talent that would secure only their second appearance at a men’s World Cup.
World Cup gets Fashionable in Philadelphia
August 5 – The City of Philadelphia recently announced Fashion District Philadelphia as the site of its Volunteer Centre for the 2026 World Cup.
Vegas Baby: World Cup draw set to return to Sin City
July 30 – Las Vegas will not be hosting World Cup matches next year, but it is set to roll the dice on football’s biggest lottery later this year, with the 2026 World Cup draw reportedly heading back to Sin City on December 5, because where else could you host the draw to the world’s ultimate sporting competition.
Refusal of US visas for Venezuelan baseball team renews travel ban fears for 2026 nations
July 29 – Fears over US travel visas for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada have been heightened after a Little League baseball team from Venezuela was denied visas to travel to the U.S. for a major tournament.
Venezuela is one of seven countries that face a partial travel suspension under the ban.
Morocco to invest $4.2bn in airport infrastructure ahead of 2030 World Cup
July 25 – Morocco has unveiled a $4.2 billion investment plan to expand and modernise its airports as the country ramps up preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
Albania handed fine and partial stadium ban over Serbia game
July 24 – The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has been fined by FIFA and ordered to close part of the stands for the next national team home game over fan misconduct at a match against Serbia.
Buyer beware? FIFA to launch World Cup ticket sales September 10
July 16 – FIFA has announced that ticket applications for the 2026 World Cup in North America will open on 10 September 2025, marking the start of what is expected to be a complex and heavily commercialised sales process for the expanded 48-team tournament.
FIFA expands World Cup hospitality packages
July 15 – FIFA has expanded its official hospitality offering for the 2026 World Cup, rolling out a wider range of premium packages through its partner On Location, with new options now available for matches in Canada and Mexico as well as the United States.
US Senate passes World Cup 2026 federal security funding
July 3 – The 11 US host city committees for the FIFA men’s World Cup moved one step closer to securing their requested $625million in federal security funding after the US Senate passed an amended version of President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill on Tuesday.
World Cup to cost British Columbia $145m for seven Vancouver games
July 3 – With 11 months until FIFA’s circus rolls into town, Vancouver’s bean counters have finally crunched the numbers. The verdict? Seven World Cup matches will cost British Columbia between $85-145 million – but the economic payoff could be colossal.