USA Today columnist Nancy Armour's pre-tournament predictions of American greed and hostility overshadowing the 2026 World Cup have been met with renewed scrutiny following the event's conclusion, which saw record attendance and significant economic contributions to the United States.
Armour had previously stated that "American greed and hostility" had cost the U.S. its opportunity to showcase the country, citing concerns over ticket prices and entry restrictions. She argued that the U.S. was demonstrating itself to be a "hateful and greedy nation" and predicted that the tournament's legacy would be defined by the country's conduct rather than the competition itself. She specifically criticized visa restrictions impacting teams and the denial of entry to international officials, stating, "The U.S. is supposed to be a World Cup host, not a World Cup bouncer."
Her columns gained further attention after her commentary on WNBA star Caitlin Clark, in which she invoked Emmett Till and suggested a "White nationalist element" to Clark's fandom. These remarks drew widespread criticism from figures like Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
In contrast to Armour's outlook, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 78 matches hosted in the United States, concluded by setting a new attendance record, drawing nearly 7 million spectators. FIFA reported that venues achieved 99.7% capacity through the semifinals, and official fan festivals attracted over 8.5 million visitors across the three host countries.
The final match between Spain and Argentina garnered significant viewership in the U.S., with nearly 63 million viewers across Fox, Telemundo, and Peacock. Fox averaged 7.74 million viewers for the tournament, an increase of 116% from 2022, while Telemundo saw a 143% rise, averaging 6.3 million viewers.
Economically, the World Cup generated an estimated $40 billion in global activity, with approximately $20 billion occurring within the United States, according to Bank of America. The bank noted accelerated spending in host cities, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and retail.
Houston, one of the host cities, reported a more than 2% increase in international airport arrivals during the tournament compared to the previous year, alongside a nearly 15% rise in hotel revenue. Visitors interviewed in Houston praised the city's hospitality, cuisine, and diversity.
Surveys indicated a positive reception to hosting the event. A U.S. Travel Association survey found that 81% of adults felt proud seeing international visitors enjoy the country, and 86% experienced joy watching them engage with America. The association's president, Geoff Freeman, stated that the World Cup "reintroduced America to the world" through positive interactions between visitors and local communities.