Tickets have not yet gone on sale, but the upcoming World Cup is already having an effect on South Florida as soccer fans from all over the world have started booking hotel rooms, anticipating the seven games to be played in Miami Gardens in June and July. 

Local leaders gathered in Miami on Thursday to discuss preparations for having the entire world’s spotlight on this community. 

“This is world-changing for us,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava. 

“Miami’s not the hottest city in America, it’s the hottest city in the world,” added World Cup Host Committee Chair, Rodney Baretto. 

As Miami gears up for seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, organizers say volunteers will play a crucial role in shaping the fan experience. NBC6’s Briana Nespral reports

Next summer’s World Cup games at Hard Rock Stadium are expected to bring 9,000 jobs with them. 

“But the lasting impact will be what the world will see,” the mayor said. 

The first thing the world sees is Miami International Airport, where they are busy installing new moving walkways in time to accommodate the expected 1 million World Cup travelers. The airport’s Lightning Crew is going around fixing things all day long, and they’ve put up gorgeous images of Miami to spruce up the drab baggage claim area. 

“So what we want to do is put our best face forward for our international passengers so they can enjoy their experience coming in and going out, too,” said Ralph Cutie, the airport’s director. 

“We are now a world-class city and these types of events that are, yes, for visitors but it’s for our residents, these are investments that we’re making to impact and improve the resident quality of life,” said Rolando Aedo, head of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

For example, they anticipate more funding for youth soccer. The downside, and it’s the mayor’s biggest worry, is massive traffic congestion. She said they’re planning ways to alleviate the roadway congestion, but it’s to be expected when the biggest sporting event in the world comes to town.  

“This is seven Super Bowls in five weeks, that’s what it is,” said Baretto, who was the host committee chair for the last Super Bowl played at Hard Rock. “We estimate this will be a billion-three in economic impact for the seven games.”

That’s $1.3 billion in projected economic benefits, and it’s happening during the tourist off-season, the summer, as opposed to the Super Bowl, which is played in the winter when South Florida is already saturated with visitors.