2026 World Cup Generated $20 Billion in U.S. Economic Activity

The 2026 FIFA World Cup generated $20 billion in fresh economic activity in the United States, according to Bank of America estimates released after the final. The bank placed total global activity at $40 billion. Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said consumer spending by the bank's 70 million customers rose 5% to 6% year-over-year.

Total U.S. credit and debit card spending increased 6.3% in June, or 5.6% excluding gasoline. U.S. retail and food services sales climbed 6.7% year-over-year in June and 6.4% for the second quarter, the Census Bureau reported.

Spending at bars and restaurants rose 3.8%. Airline and leisure spending posted double-digit growth, clothing spending increased 7%, and general merchandise spending rose 5%. Brick-and-mortar restaurant spending in host cities rose two percentage points during the opening weeks while spending in non-host cities stayed flat.

The New York/New Jersey Host Committee reported fans spent $1.2 billion in June in those two states, producing a total economic impact of $2.1 billion and $228 million in tax revenue. Kansas City hotel revenue per available room rose about 90% during the tournament, while San Francisco recorded a 55% increase, CoStar Group data showed. U.S.

Employers added 57,000 jobs in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, while the leisure and hospitality sector lost 61,000 positions. Workers who switched jobs received average wage increases of roughly 12%, and lower-income workers' card spending rose 4.8%. The tournament ran from June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final. President Trump appeared alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino to present the winners' medal.