According to a thematic research report from BofA Global Research - a specialized market analysis and research department of Bank of America, the 2026 World Cup - a tournament taking place from June 11 to July 19 - is expected to contribute about 41 billion USD to global GDP and support more than 800,000 jobs.
With 48 teams participating in 104 matches in 16 host cities in 3 countries: the US, Canada and Mexico, this event is expected to attract more than 6 billion people, equivalent to about three-quarters of the world's population watching.
The scale of the upcoming tournament reflects the increasing influence of sports as a "superpower economy".
The global sports industry achieved revenue of 2.3 trillion USD in 2025 and is on track to reach 3.7 trillion USD by 2030. Analysts emphasize that the 2026 event is likely to break the previous record for the number of attendees, expected to reach 6.5 million fans.
The massive influx of tourists is expected to bring benefits to many sectors in the host countries.
The report points out: "The total flight distance of all people watching the matches can reach 3 times the distance between Earth and the edge of our solar system", creating significant momentum for the aviation and hotel industries.
In addition to the tourism factor, the 2026 World Cup is described as an "digital age" event that will depend heavily on advanced technology.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the sporting event that uses the most data ever organized, leveraging artificial intelligence, high-end computing and digital models to manage logistics and interact with fans.
The integration of technology into the tournament is expected to create opportunities for broadcasting, social media and other online platforms.
BofA analysts believe that although the US will have the largest proportion of increased jobs with an estimated figure of 185,000, the spillover effect will be felt globally through increased consumer spending in the beverage, sportswear and restaurant sectors.
As the opening day of June 11 approaches, investors are increasingly focusing on the "king sport" as a catalyst for short-term growth in consumer-oriented industries.
The report emphasizes that this huge number of audiences and viewers represents an unprecedented milestone in terms of marketing and operation.
With the sports industry currently ranked 10th among the world's largest economies, the 2026 World Cup plays the role of the main driving force for a sector to continue to grow outstandingly compared to the overall economic growth rate.
