The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already facing early criticism from sections of the United States hospitality industry, with hotel operators reporting weaker-than-expected bookings across several host cities ahead of the tournament.
The global competition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin next month.
According to industry reports, hotel demand has declined in nine of the 11 American host cities, with operators attributing the slowdown to high travel and accommodation costs, among other factors.
In Kansas, where the England national team is expected to be based during the tournament, about 90 per cent of hotels are reportedly experiencing lower-than-normal bookings for the summer period.
Boston has also seen a significant drop, with hotel operators claiming bookings are down by as much as 80 per cent ahead of England’s group-stage fixture against Ghana on June 23.
Reports further indicate that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has already released around 70 per cent of hotel rooms it previously block-booked for the tournament.
The competition had earlier been projected by former US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino to generate about £22 billion for the US economy and create approximately 200,000 jobs.
However, hotel industry stakeholders say the expected surge in international visitors has yet to materialise.
Analysts have attributed the weak demand to several factors, including high ticket prices, rising travel and accommodation costs, strict immigration policies, visa delays, a strong US dollar, and elevated tipping expectations in the hospitality sector.
Other concerns cited include geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, which some analysts say may be discouraging international fans from travelling.
Hospitality analyst Jan Freitag questioned earlier projections of an economic boom equivalent to “104 Super Bowls,” noting that many hotels across host cities are still awaiting increased reservations.
England, coached by Thomas Tuchel, is scheduled to open its campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17 before facing Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey.
Meanwhile, hotel operators in Dallas and New Jersey have also reported slower-than-expected bookings despite the tournament’s approaching start date.
