World Cup Bump Falls Flat as U.S. Hotels Slash Rates Over Backlash

U.S. hotels are cutting room rates for the FIFA World Cup 2026 amid softer-than-expected demand, with FIFA canceling thousands of reserved rooms in host cities as eleven U.S. cities host matches from June 11 to July 19. Industry executives say the slump is driven in part by lingering anti-American sentiment tied to Trump-era policies, including tensions over Iran and immigration, complicating hopes that the World Cup would revive travel to the U.S. and deliver a big economic boost.