Economy in Play: FIFA World Cup 2026 & Future of Global Sports

The economy surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026 is being framed as a blueprint for how global sports intersect with broader growth sectors. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is drawing attention to star players and tactics, but the World Economic Forum (WEF) says it also functions as a jobs and investment driver. In a report titled “Growth in the New Economy: Towards a Blueprint (2026),” the WEF highlights industries expected to contribute most to global growth from 2025 to 2030, including IT services, advanced manufacturing, medical and healthcare services, accommodation and leisure, and agriculture, forestry and fishing. Sports are linked to several of these areas through tourism, digital transformation, stadium infrastructure, and food supply chains serving visiting fans. The WEF’s sports-economy framework extends beyond matches to professional and participatory sport, sports tourism, and sporting goods.