FIFA turns 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup into a Super Bowl, all thanks to Messi

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, FIFA has the ambition to turn every match at the 2026 World Cup (a total of 104 matches), with each match being a Super Bowl event (American football final), thanks to the Messi effect.

The economic impact of the 2026 World Cup will benefit everyone

"Messi has helped the 2026 World Cup heat up early in the US. The presence of this Argentine star player over the past 2 years has helped American football develop incredibly. MLS is now widely known internationally, and is reinforced by high-class contracts such as after Messi, Son Heung-min, Thomas Muller, Marco Reus or Rodrigo De Paul... All of this has contributed to the unprecedented expectation of an explosive 2026 World Cup in all aspects," Marca expressed.

Messi's appeal helps FIFA want to turn every match at the 2026 World Cup into the most prestigious Super Bowl event in American sports .

Photo: Reuters

The economic and commercial benefits from the 2026 World Cup are expected to grow very strongly in the host cities. The expected economic benefits in the host cities will be comparable to those seen in the Super Bowl venues - the biggest sporting event in the US - where those lucky enough to attend know that "everyone will win", according to Marca .

According to the New York Business Journal , the 2026 World Cup is sure to surpass America’s most popular sporting event. The Super Bowl, which crowns the NFL champion, generated more than $10.5 million in revenue in just a few days for rental services including hotels and other accommodations. Meanwhile, with unprecedented demand expected throughout the month-long 2026 World Cup, those numbers will be far greater.

“For example, in a host city like New Orleans, the average cost of a nightly stay is $1,450 — already eight times the city’s standard rate — and could rise even higher during the 2026 World Cup.

Data from AirDNA shows that in the days leading up to this year's Super Bowl, on February 9, the $10.5 million figure was reached early. In addition, similar reports show that hotel room prices in the city have increased by 67.1%. Therefore, the 2026 World Cup, when FIFA hopes to turn every match into a Super Bowl event, will certainly help economic growth very strongly during the tournament," said the New York Business Journal .

"Football is on the right track, and nothing can stop it in America," Marca emphasized, adding: "It is the presence and great attraction of the famous player Messi to the US since the 2022 World Cup until now, which has created an unprecedented fever."

There are currently 13 teams officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Photo: FIFA.com

"A recent report said that New York City and New Jersey are expected to see an economic boost of $3.3 billion from hosting the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19. Incredibly, this figure comes from just eight matches scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium here.

While packed stadiums are a common sight in New York, the World Cup will be on a whole different scale. Tourists are expected to spend up to $1.7 billion during the event, and the venue will attract around 1.2 million fans in just one month, according to Marca .

MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey will also host the 2026 World Cup final on July 19, 2026, along with other key matches, including five group stage matches, one round of 32 match and one round of 16 match.

What is the scale of the 2026 World Cup and when will the draw be held?

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with 48 teams participating in the final round. FIFA will hold the draw on December 5 in Las Vegas (USA). The teams will be divided into 12 groups, with each group consisting of 4 teams. The Mexican team will play the opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, and will be placed in Group A. The United States will be placed in Group D, while the other co-host team, Canada, will be placed in Group B.

The Indonesian team is the only representative of Southeast Asian football competing for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, when entering the fourth qualifying round of the Asian region.

Photo: Reuters

A total of 16 cities from the three co-host countries will host matches at the 2026 World Cup. Canada will host two cities, Toronto and Vancouver; Mexico will host three cities, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. The United States will host cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

At the 2026 World Cup, the majority of matches will take place in the United States, especially from the quarter-finals onwards with matches taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The semifinals will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026, followed a day earlier by the third-place match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026. The opening match will be held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, and the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

This will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. The expansion means there will be more matches - a total of 104 matches will be played, up from 64 in 2022 in Qatar.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/fifa-bien-104-tran-dau-tai-world-cup-2026-thanh-super-bowl-tat-ca-nho-messi-18525081508512753.htm