When fans around the world think about the FIFA World Cup, they picture the stadiums full of country flags with sounds of national anthems ringing through the air that precede the excitement of the unforgettable moments that turn into sports history.
But before any of that can happen, millions of people have to get here.
It’s estimated that 6.5 million visitors will be traveling across the 2026 FIFA World Cup host countries (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) this summer. To get here, they have to land at airports, board trains, catch buses, navigate local transit systems, and make their way through the cities that are preparing to welcome the world. So while the World Cup may be played on the field, it is powered by transportation.
That is one of the most important stories of this tournament and the spirit behind The Great American Roadtrip. We hope every fan sees that behind every match is a meticulously planned network of systems working together to move millions of people safely and efficiently. The 11 American host cities will tell our transportation story through a real-world demonstration of how different systems connect everyday people to cities and to the world.
The World Cup will encourage millions of visitors to move across the country, turning a match-day trip into a broader American travel experience. To love America is to see America and to achieve that, we hope our visitors can appreciate how complex all of the systems that work together to get us here are. Whether it’s the highways, airports, buses, trains and local metro systems, or even the sidewalks that bring people to the front door of the stadium, the World Cup will give the world a front-row seat to American transportation systems.
As we kick off this exciting sports spectacle, we’ll remember that long before the first whistle blows, America’s transportation systems have been at work helping fans show up for the game, for their teams, and for the experience of a lifetime.