The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off in just a few weeks, and for the first time it will be hosted by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Arguably the world’s premier sporting event, the World Cup has expanded to feature 48 teams, lifting the schedule to a record 104 games. The matches will be played in 16 cities across the three countries, opening in Mexico City on June 11, followed by games in Toronto and Los Angeles on June 12. In this Economics Weekly, we assess the economic impact of the World Cup on the host nations and consider how it fits into an increasingly competitive geopolitical backdrop.
