Overview
Goldman Sachs estimates that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico and Canada, will provide a short‑term boost to the U.S. economy. The tournament is expected to attract between five and six million fans to 78 matches held in 11 U.S. metropolitan areas, which together represent roughly one‑third of U.S. GDP and about a quarter of total employment.
Employment Impact
Drawing on data from the 1994 World Cup, previous Olympic Games and two decades of Super Bowls, the report projects the event will add approximately 40,000 jobs to June payroll growth and an additional 10,000 jobs in July. The hiring surge is expected to be concentrated in leisure and hospitality, retail trade and transportation sectors. After the tournament, the temporary positions are projected to wind down, creating a drag of about 15,000 jobs in August.
Consumer Spending and Retail Sales
Goldman Sachs forecasts a modest lift in consumer spending, with retail sales growth receiving a 0.3‑percentage‑point boost in June and a 0.1‑percentage‑point increase in July, driven by spending from both domestic and international visitors.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth
The economists estimate the World Cup will contribute 0.1 percentage point to annualised U.S. GDP growth in the second quarter and 0.05 percentage point in the third quarter. The boost is expected to reverse later in the year, turning into a modest drag on growth.
Inflation Effects
Higher hotel, restaurant and transportation prices in host cities are projected to raise core CPI inflation by 0.03 percentage points and core PCE inflation by 0.04 percentage points in June. Smaller gains are anticipated in July, with modest reversals beginning in August as temporary price pressures ease.
Investor Implications
Goldman Sachs notes that quantifying the magnitude of these temporary effects will help investors separate World Cup‑related distortions from underlying economic trends in upcoming data releases.