With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, the US waits to be seen whether football fans will boost tourism numbers, but stricter immigration rules and Trump’s global policy may be a deterrent

The US has seen a sharp decline in tourist number, which in part has been attributed to tighter immigration restrictions and geopolitical tensions under President Donald Trump. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, it remains to be seen whether football fans will boost the numbers.

The US has has long ranked as the world ’s top vacation destination with tourists flocking to places like Disney World and Times Square, but China is now on track to become the world’s top tourism economy in the next few years, Bloomberg news agency reported.

The Chinese travel and tourism economy grew 9.9% at a faster rate than the US last year.

President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel & Tourism Council, Gloria Guevara, said that if both countries continue to grow at similar rates, China could become the world’s largest tourism economy by the end of the decade.

“While the US is shrinking, China is rising at a fast rate,” Guevara said in an interview. “If this continues, in three to four years it will close in on the US.”

The upcoming FIFA World Cup, set to kick-off in June, could provide the opportunity a spike in US tourism. The Independent reported that the US tourism industry is, however, worried.

Currency volatility and policy stances from the Trump administration on matters such as immigration, have seemingly deterred travellers especially Canadians, the single largest source of foreign tourists for the US.

Canadian travel to the US fell by close to 30% in 2025. Travel from Australia, India and Western Europe also fell.

Americans on the bordering town of Lewiston, New York, rely heavily on their closest neighbours for tourism. But some told the Guardian they had seen up to a 30% drop.

One said: “I’m angry that the Canadians don’t want to come here any more. And I don’t blame them. I was thinking yesterday, I wish I didn’t live in this country, because I don’t like it anymore. I don’t like the news that I’m hearing. I don’t like the [Iran] war … It’s too much for me to handle.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see 75% of matches hosted across the US.

Traditionally, host nations benefit from sports events, but impacts are often overestimated. After a disappointing year, the US tourism sector hopes the World Cup to boost visits and revenue.

Trump’s foreign policy, however, may undermine those expectations.

A new visa integrity fee of $250 and plans for social media screening of some visitors make travel to the US less attractive. There are growing calls for a boycott of the US following some of Trump’s policies.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has suggested that fans avoid going to the US for the World Cup, which will also see matches hosted in neighbours Canada and Mexico.

Bookings for flights and hotels were, however, up after the dates and venues of games were announced in December.

The tourism industry will have to wait and see if a recovery is possible in 2026.



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