Foreign Fans Deterred as 2026 World Cup Hotel Bookings Lag

Foreign fans are showing a lack of interest in attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with hotel bookings significantly below expectations. Data from the American Hotel and Lodging Association indicates that nearly 80% of hotel owners in nine U.S. cities expect bookings to be far lower than predicted.

Although 5 million tickets have already been sold, concerns arise due to several factors deterring international fans, including lengthy visa wait times, issues surrounding U.S. immigration policy, inflated air travel prices, and a strong U.S. dollar. Despite some cities like Atlanta and Miami maintaining strong booking performance, others such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco are not meeting expected performance levels.

Stakeholders believe that without a last-minute influx of international travelers, the overall financial benefits of the event, which is set to begin in June 2026, may not materialize as planned. The player industry is working to streamline the visa process to encourage international travel for the tournament.