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World Cup Own-Goal?

Feb 13, 2026 | Sport

When we published the Future of Recreation, Travel & Hospitality with Delaware North in the spring of 2022, we predicted that the rise of authoritarian regimes around the world would dampen the burgeoning post-pandemic travel boom.

Now, less than four years later, the U.S. is about to find out whether the powerful and potentially lucrative draw of the World Cup – the ultimate sports tourism event – will be enough to offset hurdles posed by its own agressively protectionist trade and travel policies.

Silver Linings: Co-host nations Canada and Mexico now expect to recoup billions more than originally expected in World Cup commerce, though those gains won’t come close to evening out their tariff-related economic losses.

As Predicted - May 2022
THE RISE OF AUTHORITARIANISM THREATENS GLOBAL TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY

From the Safer Passage section of the Future of Recreation, Travel & Hospitality report:

“Repressive regimes pose major obstacles for the business of tourism. International partnerships become harder to maintain as costs and risks are added at every turn.

Increased red tape, unenforceable contracts, corruption and the arbitrary use of centralized power are all barriers to creating enduring cross-border relationships.

The possibility of boycotts or travel bans and the reputational cost for companies that do business with authoritarian regimes loom over business plans that run through authoritarian-run territories.

In addition, tourists usually avoid destinations prone to political crackdowns, arbitrary law enforcement and security crises.”

Prediction: Nationalism Hurts Tourism

Source Summary

The Trump administration’s foreign policy may undermine previous expectations of a World Cup windfall for the U.S.. A new visa integrity fee of $250 and social media screening of visitors make travel to the U.S. less attractive. There are growing calls for a boycott of U.S. World Cup games, including by Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in response to Trump’s aggressive stance toward Greenland.

– Fast Company, Feb 10 2026 via The Conversation

READ MORE: U.S. tourism is in a ‘Trump slump’ that could push World Cup fans away

[Fast Company]

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