The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping as much as be one of many largest drivers for North American tourism. The World Journey and Tourism Council (WTTC) expects the competitors to considerably increase tourism GDP in Canada, Mexico and the US, and solidify the area’s place as one of many world’s main tourism hubs.
Canada is predicted to have the strongest tourism development, with tourism GDP rising by 6.4 per cent, adopted by Mexico by 2.4 per cent and the US by 2.1 per cent, the council estimates.
WTTC sees the World Cup as a “strategic alternative” to boost long-term tourism development by means of improved air connectivity, a extra built-in expertise for vacationers and nearer cross-border cooperation between the three host international locations.
“This can be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative for North America to speed up tourism development, strengthen connectivity and introduce our area to tens of millions of vacationers around the globe,” mentioned Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC.
WTTC warns that to keep up the area’s worldwide competitiveness, funding in aviation and tourism infrastructure, digital innovation and extra streamlined entry processes should be sustained.
Mexico is the area’s tourism chief
Of the three international locations within the area, Mexico led North American tourism development in 2025, in line with information from WTTC’s latest 2026 Financial Influence Report (EIR). Tourism GDP expanded by 1.8%, in comparison with 0.9% within the US and 1.2% in Canada, outperforming the US and Canada when it comes to key sector indicators.
Mexico additionally recorded the very best worldwide vacationer spending, rising by 3.5%, whereas the US and Canada noticed declines of 4.6% and three.5%, respectively.
The variety of worldwide arrivals additionally elevated considerably in Mexico, rising by 6.1%, however in the US it decreased by 5.5%, and in Canada it decreased by 0.6%.
WTTC additional estimates that the journey and tourism sector will help 30.9 million jobs in North America in 2026, representing 12.7% of the area’s complete employment.
At a worldwide degree, the Council predicts that tourism will contribute $12 trillion to the worldwide economic system in 2026, reaching practically 10% of worldwide GDP and supporting 376 million jobs.
