(The Center Square) \u2013 Although the quarterfinals are slated to kick off for the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, the remainder of the matches will take place outside of the Keystone State.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia, which served as one of the 16 host cities<\/a> for the World Cup across North America, was home to six matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n Five of the matches, beginning on June 14, were for group stage play. The final showdown at Philadelphia Stadium was a round-of-16 knockout match on July 4, when France bested Paraguay<\/a> 1-0.<\/p>\n Elected officials from both sides of the aisle are describing the experience as a success for Pennsylvania.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSix @FIFAWorldCup<\/a> matches in Philadelphia all went off without a hitch \u2014 and each brought extraordinary energy to the city,\u201d said Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a>. \u201cGrateful to the law enforcement and first responders who kept everyone safe, the transportation workers and public works teams who ensured fans could experience everything our Commonwealth has to offer, and the incredible volunteers who made visitors feel at home.\u201d<\/p>\n Shapiro, who attended four matches in person, has been described by Politico<\/a> as \u201cthe prospective 2028 presidential campaign field\u2019s biggest World Cup fan.\u201d<\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., posted on social media<\/a> a picture of himself alongside Ryan Boyer, business manager for the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, in attendance for the July 4 match.<\/p>\n \u201cI was grateful to be at Lincoln Financial Field on the Fourth of July for the FIFA World Cup match, and I visited Independence Hall with my family the day before,\u201d McCormick told the Center Square. \u201cPhiladelphia proudly and beautifully showcased the birthplace of America on its 250th birthday. I want to thank Mayor Parker, local law enforcement, and community leaders for making this historic celebration seamless and a tremendous experience for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Attorney General Dave Sunday likewise praised the city for the event\u2019s success.<\/p>\n \u201cSix games later, the City of Brotherly Love should be proud of the incredible experience provided to FIFA World Cup fans from all over the world over the last month,\u201d Sunday wrote<\/a> on July 5. \u201cCongratulations to @FWC26Philly<\/a> on such a successful run of events, and to @PhiladelphiaGov<\/a> for showing the world the best of what this Commonwealth has to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s Department of Community & Economic Development<\/a> issued a press release on Wednesday stating that more than 500,000 people are estimated to have visited Pennsylvania for the FIFA World Cup matches held in Philadelphia, including business and government leaders from over 25 countries.<\/p>\n While the total number of visitors and economic impact is still being calculated, Philadelphia Soccer 2026<\/a>, the nonprofit and local organizing committee for the FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia, projected that the matches in the City of Brotherly Love would pump more than $770 million into the state\u2019s economy, create 6,615 jobs, and generate $51 million in tax revenue.\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier this week, FIFA announced that more than 409,000 fans<\/a> from over 190 countries and territories attended the six matches in Philadelphia. Nineteen hundred volunteers from 90 different countries were also present, as more than 290,000 beers were consumed, 55,000 hot dogs sold, plus 46,000 soft pretzels, 37,000 crab fries, and 26,500 cheesesteaks sold, according to Axios Philadelphia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leading up to the World Cup, a majority of Pennsylvania’s elected officials touted it as an opportunity to showcase the state. However, others outside of the commonwealth don\u2019t see the economic boost they believe it will provide.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff and former mayor of Chicago, said he declined to make Chicago<\/a> a host city for the World Cup, claiming FIFA was asking taxpayers to foot too much of the bill.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI want to be clear, I’m hoping these are very successful games,\u201d Emanuel said in a recent interview with NBC Chicago<\/a>. \u201cI don’t wish anybody ill; that said, every other city now\u2026got the short straw and is losing money because FIFA weight takes out all the cash and you get all the bills.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2017, Phoenix elected to withdraw from the bidding process to host the event, citing costs outweighing the limited tourism benefits for Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic<\/a>. Tom Sadler, president and CEO of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, said the costs would have been \u201cfar greater than a Super Bowl,\u201d and added \u201cgiven what we know now, we feel confident that Valley leaders made the right call in 2017.”<\/p>\n During an appearance at FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia\u2019s Lemon Hill Park<\/a> last month, Shapiro told The Center Square<\/a> that although he hadn\u2019t seen Emanuel\u2019s comments, he expressed confidence that the tournament would benefit Pennsylvania, while citing the record-setting crowds seen at Philadelphia\u2019s Fan Fest, which is free and open to the public.\u00a0<\/p>\n Although no more matches are scheduled in Philadelphia, fans still have an opportunity to attend watch parties in various cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the tournament isn\u2019t over \u2014 @FWC26Philly<\/a> and @visitPA<\/a> are keeping the magic alive with our free FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill and free FIFA Fan Zones across the Commonwealth,\u201d Shapiro said. \u201cTo the visitors who stopped by: we hope you\u2019re already planning your next trip back to Pennsylvania.\u201d<\/p>\n