US Forms Coalition to Prep for 2026 World Cup & Olympics

The US Travel Association has created a new coalition called ASTMEC, the America’s Sports and Travel Mega Event Coalition. It brings together major sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA, along with airlines, hotel groups, destination cities, and business leaders.

The goal is to prepare the US for massive upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 16 host cities and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Together, these events are expected to bring more than 30 million visitors and generate about $100 billion for the economy over the next four years. However, they also present significant operational challenges.

The World Cup alone will require handling millions of international travelers who need quick visa processing, smooth airport entry, upgraded screening technology, secure movement for fans, athletes, and media, as well as expanded hotel capacity.

Without major improvements, the US could face crowded airports, long visa delays, overwhelmed security checkpoints, and pressure on local transportation systems.

ASTMEC aims to prevent these issues by pushing for faster digital visa systems, stronger airport infrastructure, enhanced security operations, and better coordination among local and national agencies to manage visitor flows safely.

Past global events offer clear warnings. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar struggled with visa processing delays, and Brazil’s 2014 World Cup faced logistical challenges that damaged visitor experiences and harmed the country's tourism credibility.

ASTMEC aims to prevent the US from facing similar problems and instead uses these events to generate long-term benefits, such as modernized airports, enhanced hospitality services, and new job opportunities in the travel sector.

The coalition’s work builds on recent federal commitments, including $625 million allocated for 2026 World Cup operations and $1 billion in funding for infrastructure ahead of the 2028 Olympics. These investments aim to support both short-term readiness and long-lasting improvements to the national travel system.

Additionally, lawmakers recently introduced the Visit USA Act, a bill that would restore Brand USA’s annual federal funding to $100 million.

Earlier this year, Brand USA suffered an 80 percent cut under the Big Beautiful Bill, which reduced the agency’s federal match from $100 million to $20 million. Restoring these funds is seen as essential for promoting US tourism in the lead-up to the World Cup and Olympics, when millions of international travelers are expected.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash