Why hotels across 2026 World Cup host cities suddenly face ‘major problem’ just weeks before kickoff

With the 2026 World Cup now just weeks away, hotels across several host cities are dealing with a ‘major problem' that few expected.

Tournament organisers had anticipated a huge influx of international supporters across North America, but many hotels are now reporting bookings far below forecasts despite millions of match tickets already being sold.

2026 World Cup host city hotels are going underbooked

According to a new survey released by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), via the NPR, nearly 80 per cent of hotels across World Cup host cities say bookings are currently below expectations.

Some locations are reportedly performing even worse than normal summer periods, with Kansas City among the cities seeing particularly weak demand ahead of the tournament.

The report claims FIFA cancellations and lower-than-expected international travel have left hotels with a significant number of unsold rooms only weeks before kick-off.

The AHLA said many overseas supporters appear hesitant about travelling to the United States due to rising costs, visa concerns, tighter immigration policies and uncertainty around entry procedures.

The strong US dollar and concerns over airport screening were also highlighted as possible factors discouraging travel.

There have been some stronger-performing markets, however. Hotels in Miami and Atlanta reportedly remain closer to projections, helped by strong demand for high-profile matches and tourism appeal.

Despite the survey findings, FIFA continues to insist demand for the tournament remains “unprecedented”, while local organisers in cities such as Kansas City still expect hundreds of thousands of visitors during the competition.

FGG says: This is no surprise given costs of attending the 2026 World Cup

Fans simply can’t keep absorbing the rising costs of major tournaments, and the hotel situation for 2026 is a perfect example of why.

When you look at the overall price of attending this World Cup, it’s no surprise bookings are lagging.

Supporters are already dealing with expensive match tickets, internal flights, transport surcharges and hospitality packages. On top of that, many hotels have hiked their prices around tournament dates, banking on huge demand that hasn’t fully materialised.

For a lot of travelling fans, especially younger supporters and groups, traditional hotels were always going to be unrealistic. Instead, many are turning to Airbnb‑style rentals, cheaper options outside host cities or even road‑trip‑style travel to keep the costs under control.

There’s also a growing feeling that this World Cup has become harder and more expensive to attend than previous tournaments. Visa delays, pricey domestic travel and inflated accommodation costs all add up, and plenty of supporters may simply be deciding the trip no longer offers good value.

That doesn’t mean stadiums will be empty, as demand for the football itself remains enormous, but it does help explain why parts of the wider tourism industry aren’t seeing the boom they expected.