International fans are primarily concerned about personal safety, visa issues, ticket costs, and U.S. government regulations as they consider traveling to the United States for the World Cup in June, according to a recently published survey.
The findings from the survey conducted by the non-profit U.S. Travel Association, released just two months prior to the June 11 World Cup kickoff, contribute to an already uncertain situation as fans express dissatisfaction over rising ticket prices, host cities face funding challenges, and conflict in the Middle East disrupts logistics. Iran has qualified for the World Cup, with all of its group stage matches set to take place in the United States.
“Success is not guaranteed,” the U.S. Travel Association remarked while announcing the survey results from over 9,500 participants across 10 countries. “Concerns regarding safety, delays in visa processing, and changing U.S. policies could hinder international arrivals and diminish the event’s potential.”
While World Cup organizers express optimism that international fans will attend in large numbers based on ticket purchases from fans in over 200 countries and territories, there is limited data on flight or hotel reservations to substantiate claims of high attendance.
Reports indicate that tournament sponsor FIFA has canceled thousands of hotel bookings across all three host nations— the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Forbes notes that hotels in various host cities are not experiencing the anticipated demand.
The survey did not provide information on bookings but did include projections of expected fan spending.
The association represents a range of tourism-related organizations, including state and local tourism offices, popular destinations, airlines, and the hotel sector. It has urged Congress to continue federal funding for the Brand USA marketing organization, which supports the domestic travel industry.
ESPN has requested access to the data underlying the survey results but has not yet received it.
As per the survey results released on Wednesday, nearly 25% of respondents indicated that visa and border processing issues influenced their decision to attend. The 10 markets surveyed included the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and recent visitors to the United States. International attendees for the World Cup are generally younger than leisure travelers, tend to stay longer, and spend 67% more than other international tourists on vacation, according to the survey.
Respondents indicated they anticipate spending approximately $5,048 per person, while domestic U.S. soccer fans planning to travel for games in other cities expect to spend an average of $4,794.
FIFA has faced backlash regarding its implementation of variable or dynamic pricing for tickets during this tournament, with fluctuating prices based on demand, leaving fans struggling with high expenses. Additional costs have also contributed to the financial burden.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced on April 6 limited round-trip tickets to Gillette Stadium—referred to as Boston Stadium for the tournament—priced at $80. This announcement raised concerns among supporter groups in England and Scotland, as both nations are scheduled to compete at the stadium.
“There will be many second mortgages and expenses charged to credit cards. It may seem amusing, but there is a genuine concern that some individuals will overextend themselves,” Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, stated to the Press Association. “It’s another significant disappointment.”
In February 2025, the U.S. Travel Association published a report indicating that the U.S. air travel system is inadequately prepared for the millions of visitors anticipated for the World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. It identified aging infrastructure, slow visa processing times, and outdated security technology as the primary challenges in accommodating visitors to the country.
