Political tensions and travel barriers threaten the international demand hotels are counting on
Nov 21, 2025
The article examines the U.S. tourism industry’s hopes for a strong rebound from the 2026 World Cup while highlighting how political tensions—particularly President Trump’s threats to pull matches from Democratic-run cities—are creating uncertainty. It explains that the tournament is expected to generate significant economic activity, but forecasts for international visitation vary widely. It also notes that ongoing travel bans, restrictive immigration policies and an adversarial political tone may discourage many global fans from attending. Overall, the piece outlines both the economic promise and the geopolitical risks surrounding the event.
Key takeaways
- Political pressure on host cities: Trump has threatened to remove World Cup matches from Democratic-led cities, introducing uncertainty for local organizers and tourism planners.
- Concerns about city safety: Seattle was singled out by Trump, prompting local officials to reaffirm that their matches will proceed as planned.
- Travel bans restrict fan attendance: At least two qualified nations—Iran and Haiti—are on Trump’s travel ban list, preventing their fans from entering the U.S. for the tournament.
- Large economic stakes at play: FIFA and OpenEconomics project $30.5 billion in U.S. economic output and 185,000 jobs tied to the event.
- Discrepancies in visitor projections: FIFA expects 2.6 million international visitors, while Tourism Economics forecasts only 1.24 million—less than half that figure.
- Potential rebound for inbound tourism: Despite a 6.3% decline in international arrivals since Trump took office, analysts expect the World Cup to drive a 3.7% recovery next year.
- Impact of political rhetoric on travel demand: Industry experts warn that anti-immigration rhetoric and “America First” messaging may deter some international fans, especially those who have alternative host destinations in future tournaments.
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