Slowdown in the US tourism sector
The World Cup dream is shattered before it really gets started
April 28, 2026 – 6:59 a.mReading time: 3 minutes
Shortly before the 2026 World Cup, there is a rather depressed mood in the tourism sector, especially in the USA. Human rights organizations are now even warning against traveling to the country.
The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is considered one of the biggest sporting events of the coming years. For a long time it seemed like a sure-fire success for the US tourism industry: millions of fans, full hotels, increasing sales. But just a few weeks before the tournament (June 11th to July 19th) a different picture emerges.
Tour operators report continued weakness in bookings, while prices remain high. Flights and accommodation are expensive, and many travelers hesitate or decide to go to other destinations. There is growing uncertainty within the industry as to whether the hoped-for boom will ultimately materialize.
As early as 2025, the USA was the only major travel destination to record a decline in international visitors. There are various reasons for this. A central one: the costs. For many football fans, the trip is hardly affordable. Tickets for games sometimes cost several thousand dollars, plus expensive flights and accommodation.
In addition, the cost of food is also high – in restaurants, bars, cafés and supermarkets in the USA you often pay twice to three times the prices in Germany. So if you already spend a lot of money on flights, tickets and hotels, you also have to pack a lot of pocket money.
The political situation in the USA also deters many fans. In a t-online survey from January, 94.6 percent of participants said that they would prefer to watch the World Cup on television because they find the situation on site daunting. Only 2.6 percent would like to watch a game in the country despite the circumstances. A total of over 41,000 readers took part in the vote.
At the same time, the barriers to entry are increasing. Stricter visa rules, possible social media checks and additional fees deter many people. There are repeated reports of travelers – including German citizens – who were refused entry into the USA.
Only recently, numerous human rights organizations such as Amnesty International warned of the risks involved in entering the country. A joint statement from more than 120 organizations said, among other things: “The Trump administration’s increasing authoritarianism and escalating violence pose a serious risk to everyone.” “The deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and the lack of meaningful measures and concrete assurances from FIFA, the host cities or the US government” are also criticized.
