For many Hispanic families, soccer is more than a sport. It is tradition, culture, family, and a connection across generations. From backyard games to packed watch parties, soccer has long been part of everyday life in Hispanic communities across the United States.
The last time the United States hosted the men’s FIFA World Cup was 1994. After decades of waiting, the world’s biggest soccer tournament is finally coming back to North America.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, bringing 48 teams and 104 matches to cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In the U.S., 11 cities will host matches, drawing fans from across the country and around the world. For Hispanic communities, this moment carries special meaning. It will be a celebration of culture, pride, family, and the growing influence of soccer in American life.
However, the impact the World Cup will have on the economy and energy demand is often understated. Every match, restaurant reservation, airport arrival, hotel stay, and watch party depends on reliable and affordable energy. With more than 5 million visitors expected to travel to the U.S. for the games, the tournament presents a major opportunity for communities across the country.
It All Starts with Local Infrastructure
The World Cup will not only fill stadiums. It will place major demand on the local infrastructure that keeps host cities moving.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection projects that the country will welcome more than 5 million visitors this summer, creating new opportunities for local businesses, workers, and communities. A FIFA and World Trade Organization study also found that upcoming FIFA tournaments in the United States are expected to support billions in economic output and hundreds of thousands of jobs.
But the opportunity requires preparation. Across U.S. host cities, estimated match-related electricity use could total more than 5.7 million kWh. To put that into perspective, that is roughly enough electricity to power more than 6,600 average U.S. homes for a month.
That level of demand shows why reliable infrastructure matters. Fans expect the lights to stay on, businesses expect to serve customers, and families expect their communities to benefit without being burdened by higher costs or unreliable service. Strong energy systems, transportation networks, and local planning help cities meet the moment while supporting residents long after the final whistle.
The best investments tied to the World Cup will not end when the tournament is done. Improved transportation, stronger infrastructure, upgraded facilities, and expanded local business activity can leave a lasting legacy if leaders plan with residents in mind.
For Hispanic communities, that legacy should include more than memories of great matches. It should include better access to opportunity, stronger small businesses, more reliable infrastructure, and energy policies that protect working families from unnecessary cost increases.
National Hispanic Energy Council has emphasized that affordability and reliability depend on smart infrastructure investment. That message matters for World Cup host cities, but it also matters for everyday families. Energy affects how much households pay to cool their homes, how much businesses pay to operate, and how prepared communities are for future growth.
American energy innovation and infrastructure have helped make it possible for the United States to welcome the world. From reliable power and fuel supply chains to the systems that support stadiums, businesses, transportation, and homes, energy is part of what allows major moments like the World Cup to happen here.
