• *Bookings rise despite ICE-related violence in the US
• *European travel to the US dipped post-2024 election
• *Hotel occupancy in Mexico City rises ahead of matches

Flight bookings to North America, especially the US, have surged since the World Cup match schedule was released in December, even as European travel to the United States has dipped following President Donald Trump’s election and heightened border scrutiny, according to data published on Tuesday by travel technology firm Amadeus.

The data, obtained by Reuters, showed that 18% of reservations made since the schedule announcement were by British travellers, with overall bookings rising despite concerns over recent violence linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions, including incidents in Minneapolis that have unsettled some potential visitors.

European travel to the United States declined after the November 2024 election, as tougher checks at border crossings deterred some tourists.

However, World Cup-related demand has bucked that trend, particularly among fans from England and Scotland, according to Amadeus and World Cup travel analysts.

Of all bookings made for the tournament period — June 11 to July 19, when matches will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico — 37% were recorded in the month following the draw.

The data does not yet indicate whether more recent U.S. immigration raids have affected bookings for 2026, and analysts caution that major sporting events do not always translate into a broad tourism boom, citing the 2024 Paris Olympics as an example.

“The tournament is a chance to see the most talented football players in the world and fans will go almost anywhere to watch the finest, whatever the policies and politics of the host country,” said travel analyst Paul Charles, chief executive of consultancy The PC Agency.

“However, safety is a key factor too, so visitors will be hoping that calm prevails in host cities and that their travel insurance will remain valid for their planned trips in June and July,” he added.

Amadeus data showed the largest single-day spike in bookings was for the opening match in New York City between Brazil and Morocco, which generated more than 2,500 flight reservations.

Hotel bookings in Canada and Mexico have also climbed. In Mexico City, average hotel occupancy on nights ahead of three scheduled matches has risen to 21%, compared with 4% for the same period last year, the data showed.

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By Kunle Solaja, who was in Morocco

As the race to host the final match of the 2030 FIFA World Cup gathers momentum, Morocco is increasingly emerging as a strong and credible contender, particularly in contrast to growing concerns surrounding Spain’s stadium readiness.

Spain, a co-host of the historic centenary World Cup alongside Morocco and Portugal, has come under intense scrutiny in recent days after viral videos showed rainwater leaking inside Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium during renovation works.

The images, widely shared across social media platforms, have sparked global debate about Spain’s preparedness to stage football’s biggest match.

While Spanish authorities have sought to reassure fans that the Camp Nou project will be completed to the highest standards, the footage has inevitably raised questions at a sensitive time, as FIFA weighs technical readiness, infrastructure delivery and long-term guarantees in deciding the venue for the tournament’s showpiece final.

In contrast, Morocco has quietly but consistently strengthened its case, positioning itself as the co-host with the most advanced and purpose-built stadium infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup final.

Under extreme weather conditions, especially rainfall, no match was halted, even for a minute, as the pitches and stadiums were all in excellent condition.

The Kingdom’s investments in modern football venues, transport networks and hospitality facilities have drawn international admiration, reinforced by the seamless organisation of recent continental and global sporting events.

Morocco’s flagship projects, including the ongoing development of the proposed 115,000-capacity Stade Hassan II near Casablanca and the modernisation of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, are designed to meet and exceed FIFA’s strict requirements for hosting a World Cup final. The scale, ambition and clarity of these projects have placed Morocco firmly at the centre of discussions for the tournament’s climax.

Beyond infrastructure, Morocco’s growing reputation as a reliable host has been built on the successful delivery of major competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA-affiliated tournaments, often praised for operational efficiency, security, fan experience and cultural inclusivity.

Football analysts note that while Spain’s football heritage remains unquestioned, infrastructure concerns—especially around timelines and stadium upgrades—could influence FIFA’s ultimate decision. Morocco, on the other hand, is being viewed as a co-host that is not only planning ahead but also delivering with visible progress.

As the 2030 World Cup approaches, the contest to host the final is shaping up to be more than symbolic. It is becoming a measure of readiness, reliability and vision. For Morocco, the combination of advanced stadium projects, proven organisational capacity and strong governmental backing is steadily strengthening its claim to stage the most-watched match in world football.

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A group of armed attackers killed 11 people and injured 12 at a soccer sports field after a match in the Mexican city of Salamanca, its mayor, Cesar Prieto, said on Facebook on Sunday, but a motive was not immediately clear.

A woman and a child were among those injured in the “regrettable and cowardly” attack in the Loma de Flores community during a social gathering, Prieto added, describing the incident as a severe social breakdown.

According to Salamanca Mayor, the gunmen arrived at the end of the soccer match. Image: Xinhua/Xinhua/picture alliance

“This incident adds to a wave of violence that we are sadly experiencing in the state, and particularly in Salamanca,” he added. “Unfortunately, criminal groups are trying to subjugate the authorities, which they will not achieve.”

An investigation has been launched into the attack, said the office of the attorney general in the state of Guanajuato, where Salamanca is located.

The office was coordinating efforts with municipal, state and federal authorities to strengthen security in the area, protect its people and find the likely perpetrators, it added in a statement.

“Those responsible will be found,” Prieto added in his Facebook remarks.

-Reuters

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