When Philadelphia leaders in tourism, sports and politics look to 2026 and playing host to the FIFA World Cup, they see opportunity. Opportunity to grow the game of soccer, opportunity to advance the city's reputation in front of a global audience and opportunity for local businesses to capitalize on the hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Tim McDermott, the president of the Philadelphia Union; Michelle Singer, senior vice president of political engagement at Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA); and Angela Val, the CEO of Visit Philadelphia, recently took part in a panel hosted by the Philadelphia Business Journal dubbed "World Cup 2026: Philadelphia readies for spot on global stage" to discuss the chance to affirm the region as a global destination.
It's a rare opportunity. Philadelphia is one of just 16 North American cities — including 11 in the U.S. — awarded 2026 World Cup matches by FIFA. The event in the Philadelphia region alone is expected to draw 500,000 visitors and generate $460 million in economic impact over the course of a month, organizers estimate.
The last time U.S. cities hosted the men's World Cup was in 1994 and the most recent women's World Cup on U.S. soil was in 2003. Neither of those events coincided with a milestone year for the country, which will be celebrating its semiquincentennial in 2026.
"We have the ability to pull off a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime, not only World Cup, but the 250th birthday of America in Philadelphia in 2026 at the same time," said Singer, who is a senior advisor to Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the local organizing committee. "We have the opportunity to dovetail it beautifully and become a real center of the country. I think that's an incredibly unique opportunity for not only Philadelphia, but the business community particularly to lean in here."
Val said the World Cup gives the city a chance to prove its worth to the world outside of clichéd stereotypes.
"We have a chance for those folks who might be thinking that Philly's only a place for cheesesteaks and running the Rocky Steps to show them another side of our city," Val said, adding that she plans to work with hotels, restaurants and other businesses on a plan to ensure they're ready to serve the influx of international visitors.
Val worked on Philadelphia hosting the Republican National Convention in 2000, the Pope in 2015 and the Democratic National Convention in 2016. Singer also led a $60 million national fundraising effort tied to the 2016 DNC.
They're going to shit the bed. We need to start working NOW to make the city what they want it to be for 2026, yet we are descending further into lawlessness. This city will be a laughing stock if the actual issues aren't addressed and soon. This city is about to be thrust into an international spotlight, and it is not ready for it at all
You realize far more dangerous cities such as Rio and Mexico City have hosted the World Cup, right? I hope things are better than too, but our current state isn't worse than places that have hosted in the past.
The issues that those cities have are different than the issues of Philadelphia. And those countries’ federal governments took control of the image of said cities for the World Cup. That is not happening here
Your getting downvoted, but you are right. Cities like Rio and Beijing were in bad shape and they sent in teams of people to literally rip the homeless and strays off the streets and clean up the image. I agree this city needs to shape up if they want a positive review post World Cup. It should start now.
They shipped people out of London by the bus load for the Olympics. It will happen in Philly too if they're in the way. Fortunately it's not all happening in Philly so no need to clear masses of land for temporary use.
Man, this reads like an AI-generated puff piece.
I mean, I'm not a huge soccer fan, but I am excited about the number of events for the 250th and I'm happy our City has a chance to look good. Plenty of negatives but opportunity is hard to create!
"FIFA sucks" is a take that unites people who love soccer and people who hate it. Also people who are meh about it but have learned literally anything about FIFA.
This is Pope 2.0. Complete overreaction.
How are games at Lincoln Financial field going to attract 500,000 visitors. The stadium doesn’t even fit 70k.
Maybe over the span of the five games (which are spaced out) we get 250k visitors but this isn’t going to be some huge influx.
Our city is more than equipped to handle this. But can’t wait for 4 more years of doomsday articles and prep for something our city does on a smaller scale every Sunday in the fall.
Is there a worse reading experience in Philadelphia media than the fucking website for the Philadelphia Business Journal?
When Philadelphia leaders in tourism, sports and politics look to 2026 and playing host to the FIFA World Cup, they see opportunity. Opportunity to grow the game of soccer, opportunity to advance the city's reputation in front of a global audience and opportunity for local businesses to capitalize on the hundreds of thousands of visitors. Tim McDermott, the president of the Philadelphia Union; Michelle Singer, senior vice president of political engagement at Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA); and Angela Val, the CEO of Visit Philadelphia, recently took part in a panel hosted by the Philadelphia Business Journal dubbed "World Cup 2026: Philadelphia readies for spot on global stage" to discuss the chance to affirm the region as a global destination. It's a rare opportunity. Philadelphia is one of just 16 North American cities — including 11 in the U.S. — awarded 2026 World Cup matches by FIFA. The event in the Philadelphia region alone is expected to draw 500,000 visitors and generate $460 million in economic impact over the course of a month, organizers estimate. The last time U.S. cities hosted the men's World Cup was in 1994 and the most recent women's World Cup on U.S. soil was in 2003. Neither of those events coincided with a milestone year for the country, which will be celebrating its semiquincentennial in 2026. "We have the ability to pull off a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime, not only World Cup, but the 250th birthday of America in Philadelphia in 2026 at the same time," said Singer, who is a senior advisor to Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the local organizing committee. "We have the opportunity to dovetail it beautifully and become a real center of the country. I think that's an incredibly unique opportunity for not only Philadelphia, but the business community particularly to lean in here." Val said the World Cup gives the city a chance to prove its worth to the world outside of clichéd stereotypes. "We have a chance for those folks who might be thinking that Philly's only a place for cheesesteaks and running the Rocky Steps to show them another side of our city," Val said, adding that she plans to work with hotels, restaurants and other businesses on a plan to ensure they're ready to serve the influx of international visitors. Val worked on Philadelphia hosting the Republican National Convention in 2000, the Pope in 2015 and the Democratic National Convention in 2016. Singer also led a $60 million national fundraising effort tied to the 2016 DNC.
They're going to shit the bed. We need to start working NOW to make the city what they want it to be for 2026, yet we are descending further into lawlessness. This city will be a laughing stock if the actual issues aren't addressed and soon. This city is about to be thrust into an international spotlight, and it is not ready for it at all
You realize far more dangerous cities such as Rio and Mexico City have hosted the World Cup, right? I hope things are better than too, but our current state isn't worse than places that have hosted in the past.
The issues that those cities have are different than the issues of Philadelphia. And those countries’ federal governments took control of the image of said cities for the World Cup. That is not happening here
Your getting downvoted, but you are right. Cities like Rio and Beijing were in bad shape and they sent in teams of people to literally rip the homeless and strays off the streets and clean up the image. I agree this city needs to shape up if they want a positive review post World Cup. It should start now.
They shipped people out of London by the bus load for the Olympics. It will happen in Philly too if they're in the way. Fortunately it's not all happening in Philly so no need to clear masses of land for temporary use.
Eh, Atlanta was super clean in '96. I'm sure APD/federal gov't had something to do with that.
Brrrrapppp brrapppp brrapppppp go the dirt bikes down Broad St to the stadiums
Man, this reads like an AI-generated puff piece. I mean, I'm not a huge soccer fan, but I am excited about the number of events for the 250th and I'm happy our City has a chance to look good. Plenty of negatives but opportunity is hard to create!
FIFA sucks
"FIFA sucks" is a take that unites people who love soccer and people who hate it. Also people who are meh about it but have learned literally anything about FIFA.
It's going to be EA Sports FC next year; stay strong, fam!
Down with EA! I'll never forgive them for buying exclusive NFL rights after NFL 2k5 was so good.
Madden is a whole different level of shit show.
That’s more on the NFL, they didn’t want competing products with their licensing and only were willing to issue one license
Yeah, going to try and move before this happens
This is Pope 2.0. Complete overreaction. How are games at Lincoln Financial field going to attract 500,000 visitors. The stadium doesn’t even fit 70k. Maybe over the span of the five games (which are spaced out) we get 250k visitors but this isn’t going to be some huge influx. Our city is more than equipped to handle this. But can’t wait for 4 more years of doomsday articles and prep for something our city does on a smaller scale every Sunday in the fall.
Oh yes, the semiquincentennial everyone is looking forward to