Hotels and Airbnb brace for late surge in FIFA World Cup 2026 travel despite slow early bookings

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, hotel bookings in most U.S. host cities are below initial forecasts due to visa and geopolitical concerns, with international demand lagging. However, companies like Host Hotels, Marriott, RLJ Lodging, and Airbnb expect a surge in travel closer to the event, with Airbnb anticipating hosting more guests than ever before. Hotels project a modest boost in revenue per available room, while Airbnb has added over 100,000 new listings and plans to retain supply post-tournament. Airlines like United also report increased bookings to host cities, signaling optimism for a strong travel season tied to the event starting June 11.