The $40.9 Billion World Cup Effect: How Football Fuels Economic GrowthJosh Gilbert, Lead Analyst, Middle East at eToro

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 11, 2026

The 2026 World Cup arrives with a record eight Arab nations on the team sheet. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Iraq. That is double the previous record set in 2018 and the strongest Arab representation the tournament has ever seen. Jordan qualifies for the first time, while Iraq returns after 40 years away. 

The scale of a modern tournament is enormous. Organisers, drawing on an Oxford Economics study, estimate it could add up to USD$40.9 billion to global GDP and draw 6.5 million attendees across the US, Canada and Mexico. Whether the final numbers match the projections is another question. Host city hotel bookings have been tracking below early expectations, while ticket, travel and accommodation costs have become a sticking point for some travelling supporters. 

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