Houston leaders continue to describe the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a major economic opportunity for the region — but early indicators suggest the hospitality industry is still waiting for that boom to materialize.
As Houston prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026, downtown business owners are hoping a newly transformed Main Street corridor will bring a surge of visitors — and much-needed economic momentum.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has been designated as one of three U.S. entry points for travelers arriving from countries affected by an Ebola outbreak, as Houston prepares to host World Cup matches next month.
Houston city leaders sought to calm public concern after federal officials designated George Bush Intercontinental Airport as one of three U.S. entry points for American travelers returning from regions affected by the latest Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
With just weeks to go before Houston hosts its first FIFA World Cup match, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed growing public concerns Monday over Ebola cases connected to central Africa and what that could mean for the region during the international event.
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is raising concerns as Houston prepares to host Congo for a World Cup match in less than a month.
The painting over of a giant mural in Dallas of swimming whales to make way for art related to the upcoming World Cup matches has spurred an outcry.
Houston hoteliers anticipated a tourism gold rush when the city landed FIFA World Cup matches, rooms sold out months in advance, premium rates, and visitors flooding in from across the globe.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund became an “official tournament supporter” of the World Cup on Thursday and reaffirmed its commitment to invest in sports despite notable retreats from other ventures in recent months.
The World Cup final will feature a star-studded halftime show headlined by Madonna, Shakira and boy band BTS.
The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature seven matches in Houston at NRG Stadium, which will be renamed Houston Stadium during the tournament.
With just weeks until World Cup matches arrive in Houston, the FBI in Houston says security planning has been underway for more than a year — and a key part of that plan is a centralized command post where federal, state and local agencies will work side by side.
Houston’s 8th Wonder Brewery is accusing its landlord of trying to push the company out of its longtime East Downtown property as the value of nearby land surges ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is normally home to football games is now a full-scale construction zone as NRG Stadium undergoes a dramatic transformation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Houston in just 36 days, but for many locals, the biggest question isn’t excitement—it’s affordability.
It’s easy to read into Lindsey Vonn being among the 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine ski team for the upcoming season.
A recent survey of hoteliers in the Dallas area and Houston found anticipated demand is not translating into strong hotel bookings less than 40 days from the start of the tournament.
With just over 44 days until the World Cup comes to Houston, many homeowners are considering turning their properties into short-term rentals.
Rules for showing red cards to players at the World Cup have been updated because of two controversies in international soccer this year.
Four-time champion Italy is not interested in replacing Iran at the upcoming World Cup in North America following a suggestion to that effect by U.S. special envoy Paolo Zampolli.
With 50 days until Houston hosts the FIFA World Cup, the city is about to see some of its most visible changes yet, and residents will start noticing the transformation almost immediately.
Houston's Reliant Stadium will play host to seven FIFA World Cup matches between June 14 and July 4. The events will attract approximately 500,000 fans from around the world.
Sky-high ticket prices won’t be the only thing emptying the wallets of soccer fans attending World Cup matches at some U.S. venues this spring.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran will participate in the World Cup “for sure” despite its war with the United States.
We now know exactly what funding is at risk and why the Governor says Houston could be forced to pay it all back.
A big community event is bringing together families, local leaders, and athletes for a world record attempt at Hermann Park. It's all happening as Houston gets ready for the World Cup. Watch the video player above to see how you can join the action.
FIFA has added new, even more expensive tiers of tickets for this year’s World Cup, asking up to $4,105 for a front category 1 seat at the U.S. opener against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12.
Many Iranian soccer fans in the U.S. have conflicting emotions about their homeland's beloved national team as the World Cup comes to North America.
The Diamond League track meet in Qatar has been postponed from next month to June 19 if conditions allow amid ongoing uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
And the countdown to the World Cup is on, and Houston restaurants are preparing for a major boom. We're talking global flavors, packed dining rooms, and a huge economic opportunity. This week, there will be a preview of what could be on menus across the city when restaurants and vendors attend the Sysco food show this week. Visit this link to register your restaurant
The 48-team field for FIFA's biggest ever World Cup is complete after a qualifying process that spanned more than two and a half years.
As the World Cup nears, Christian Pulisic’s scoreless streak for the United States stretched to a career-high eight games.
Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 in a World Cup warmup that exposed the Americans’ defensive difficulties, rallying from a late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukébakio and one each from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.
Robert Lewandowski and Edin Džeko had a combined 160 goals in 309 national team games going into the World Cup qualifying playoffs.
France forward Kylian Mbappé showed no ill effects of his left knee injury when he broke free for a goal to give France an early lead on its way to a 2-1 victory over Brazil in a World Cup tuneup between two of the world’s top teams.
Mikaela Shiffrin secured a record-tying sixth women’s overall World Cup skiing title by holding off a challenge from emerging German rival Emma Aicher in the final race of the season.
Airline CEOs are urging Congress to address the impact of the government shutdown, which has left TSA workers unpaid, leading to significant airport delays. With TSA officers receiving no paychecks and increased absenteeism, security lines are lengthening, and airlines are struggling to manage the situation during peak travel periods. The CEOs emphasize the urgency of the issue, advocating for legislative solutions to ensure aviation personnel are compensated during shutdowns, warning that without action, travel disruptions will persist.
Leaders at the World Anti-Doping Agency are considering adopting a rule that could bar President Donald Trump and all U.S. government officials from attending major international events — even if they take place on American soil.
UEFA said Sunday that the game between Argentina and Spain known as Finalissima that was supposed to be held in Qatar has been canceled after the widening Middle East war.
Iran’s sports and youth minister said that the country is in no position to take part in the World Cup after the United States killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in its ongoing war.
In the absence of injured Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, Emma Aicher seized her chance at a World Cup downhill on Friday to cut the American superstars’ leads in the season-long standings.
Iraq’s hopes of World Cup qualification are being impacted by the Iran war because players cannot get visas for the playoff tournament in Mexico and the team’s coach is stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
The president of Iran’s soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of his country.
Sofia Goggia has won her second super-G of the season and regained a commanding lead in the race to the World Cup discipline title.
Houston is gearing up to welcome more than 500,000 visitors for the World Cup games in just four months, with hotels across the city making massive investments to prepare for the international spotlight.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 list of nominees, and it mixes pop, rap, metal, R&B and more.
When Omar Pereney started cooking at age 12 in Venezuela, he never imagined his culinary journey would lead him to cooking for a U.S. president.
Downtown Houston’s Main Street is undergoing a $14 million transformation that promises to revolutionize the area’s dining and entertainment scene, with completion targeted before the World Cup arrives in the city.
A major downtown Houston project is underway to make the city center more walkable and cooler through strategic shade installations and green infrastructure, just in time for the upcoming World Cup.
Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite the left knee injury she sustained in a crash four days ago.
World champion Franjo von Allmen dominated the last men’s World Cup downhill before the Olympics and gave troubled ski resort Crans-Montana a second Swiss victory of the weekend.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is backing a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad.
Mikaela Shiffrin has earned a place on the podium of a World Cup giant slalom for the first time in two years.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says that her government sent 37 cartel members to the United States at the request of the U.S. Justice Department.
Nicol Delago claimed her first World Cup victory in a downhill with 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn in third place for her fifth podium in five downhills this season.
Mikaela Shiffrin and American teammate Paula Moltzan finished 1-2 in a World Cup slalom night race.
Senegal and Ivory Coast fans who want to support their teams at the World Cup this summer have had their plans upended because of a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
The big surprise of the World Cup slalom season scored his second win Sunday adding to his fast-rising reputation before the Winter Olympics.
Houston’s Pride Festival and Parade is making history by moving to Saturday, June 6, 2026, for the first time in nearly 50 years. The change, due to FIFA World Cup events later in June, kicks off a month-long celebration of diversity, advocacy, and community.
Swiss skier Camille Rast has ended Mikaela Shiffrin’s six-race winning streak in World Cup slaloms.
Swiss skier Camille Rast earned her first career win in a World Cup giant slalom and dedicated her victory to the victims of the fire at a Crans-Montana bar.
Former Brazil and Real Madrid great Roberto Carlos has posted a picture of himself smiling in hospital and says he's “recovering well” after confirming he had undergone a heart procedure.
Mikaela Shiffrin has come from behind to win a World Cup night slalom in tough conditions and extend her winning streak in the discipline to six races.
Christian Pulisic scored the opener and Christopher Nkunku added two more as AC Milan beat Hellas Verona 3-0 to move atop Serie A.
U.S.-born Atle Lie McGrath has edged out Olympic champion Clément Noël to claim victory in a World Cup slalom at Alta Badia in Italy.
Sofia Goggia finally got the win her skiing this season deserved in a World Cup super-G on Sunday and Lindsey Vonn was third for the second straight day at French resort Val d'Isere.
Marco Odermatt found moments of clarity on a foggy day in the Italian Dolomites to race to victory in a World Cup downhill at Val Gardena.
The International Luge Federation has withdrawn the eligibility of three Russian athletes who intended to compete in Lake Placid, New York, this weekend.
FIFA slashed the price of some World Cup tickets for teams’ most loyal fans following a global backlash and some will get $60 seats for the final instead of being asked to pay $4,185.
Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-extending 105th World Cup victory after several of her top challengers went out during the opening run of a slalom night race.
Swiss skier Loic Meillard leads the opening run of a World Cup slalom and is in position to claim his second victory of the Olympic season in two days.
As Houston gears up to welcome the FIFA World Cup, excitement is building far beyond the stadiums. Local businesses, restaurants, and the tourism sector are preparing for a major economic surge — and Airbnb hosts say they’re ready to cash in.
Egypt and Iran, two Middle East nations that target gays and lesbians, have complained to FIFA over the scheduling of a World Cup soccer match in Seattle that’s expected to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s public support for Donald Trump and a peace prize awarded to the U.S. president are the subjects of formal complaints to the global soccer body’s ethics investigators.
It’s been just three days since the schedules were established for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ticket prices are already through the roof.
Perhaps it's fitting that after the World Cup draw ceremony began, it took about 90 minutes for the actual drawing of teams to begin in earnest.
Argentina and Lionel Messi will play Algeria to open their World Cup title defense as part of a group that also includes Austria.
The Trump administration has instructed U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to prioritize visa applications from foreigners wishing to visit the United States to either invest in America or attend the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and other major sporting events.
Excitement is building in Houston’s Third Ward as major neighborhood improvements are set to begin ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
American standout Mikaela Shiffrin has dominated a World Cup slalom on home Colorado snow to remain perfect in the discipline during the Olympic season.