According to tmw, US President Trump posted on social media that the 2026 World Cup will bring more than $18 billion to the US economy and support more than 160,000 jobs.
Trump stated, "This summer, the U.S. tourism industry has performed exceptionally well. The FIFA World Cup alone brought in over $18 billion to our economy, supporting more than 160,000 jobs. Travel and tourism mean jobs, investment, and billions of dollars in revenue for American businesses and communities." He also wrote, in his comments on the trends in U.S. employment and tourism, "The best is yet to come."
However, Trump's figures were higher than the US government's previous estimates. The White House task force had predicted that the World Cup would boost US GDP by approximately $17.2 billion and support more than 185,000 jobs.
Several sports economists cautioned that the actual impact of major sporting events needs careful assessment, as some consumption may simply be transferred from other economic sectors and does not necessarily represent new wealth. Therefore, the $18 billion mentioned by Trump should be considered a presidential statement, not a definitive statistical figure. The World Cup has once again become a political showcase for Trump, who has repeatedly linked the event to his administration's achievements.
