Who Really Profits From the World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, spanning three countries, expanding to 48 teams, and generating forecasts of tens of billions of dollars in economic activity. Yet behind the headlines, questions are emerging about whether host cities and local businesses will actually capture the benefits being promised, especially as ticket prices surge and travel costs climb. As the tournament approaches, what does the economics of the World Cup really look like, who stands to gain the most, and what can host nations do to ensure the rewards extend beyond FIFA and the global sponsors?Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.