Why America’s Transit System Could Fail 5 Billion Fans

By VirentaNews Staff — May 26, 2026

The United States, set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, is confronting growing concerns over its infrastructure readiness, with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) assigning the nation a ‘D’ grade for public transit and road conditions. With an expected 5 billion global viewers and over 5 million international visitors, the tournament will spotlight U.S. transportation systems that often rely on repurposed school buses, lack pedestrian access, and charge premium fares—such as $98 high-speed rail tickets between major cities. This moment marks a turning point, where global expectations for seamless mobility clash with domestic underinvestment, raising urgent questions about economic preparedness, urban planning, and the long-term legacy of hosting one of the world’s largest sporting events.

Why Infrastructure Is Now a National Priority

Hosting the FIFA World Cup has historically acted as a catalyst for infrastructure modernization in emerging and developed nations alike, from South Africa’s Gautrain rapid transit system in 2010 to Qatar’s $36 billion metro expansion in 2022. For the United States, the 2026 tournament represents more than a sporting milestone—it’s a test of whether a wealthy nation can overcome decades of deferred maintenance and fragmented governance. The ASCE’s 2023 Infrastructure Report Card gave U.S. public transit a ‘D’ and roads a ‘D+’, citing outdated systems, overcrowding, and underfunding. With matches scheduled in 16 cities from Seattle to Miami, and fan travel spanning thousands of miles, the absence of a unified high-speed rail network or reliable intercity transit could undermine the fan experience and deter future mega-events. This moment matters because it forces a reckoning: global standards now measure not just stadiums, but the systems that move people to them.

The Reality of Fan Transportation in U.S. Host Cities

While FIFA mandates accessible, efficient transport to venues, several U.S. host cities are relying on stopgap solutions. In Philadelphia, plans include retrofitting diesel school buses as shuttle services to Lincoln Financial Field. In Dallas, the $98 one-way ride on Amtrak’s Texas Eagle route—lacking direct access to AT&T Stadium—has drawn criticism for being both costly and impractical for international visitors unfamiliar with the U.S. transit landscape. Moreover, venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City lack direct rail links, requiring fans to navigate car-dependent suburbs with limited sidewalks and bike lanes. According to a 2024 Associated Press investigation, nearly 40% of 2026 World Cup venues are not served by any form of direct public transit, a stark contrast to past hosts like Germany and Japan, where fans routinely travel between cities via high-speed rail in under two hours.

Investment Gaps and Economic Implications

The Biden administration has allocated $1.2 trillion through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), with $39 billion dedicated to public transit upgrades—a historic infusion, but one that is spread thinly across all 50 states and not specifically targeted at World Cup readiness. While cities like New York and San Francisco are using federal funds to modernize subway signals and accessibility, host cities such as Atlanta and Houston are still prioritizing car-centric expansions over mass transit. Economists at the Brookings Institution warn that underinvestment could cost the U.S. up to $10 billion in unrealized tourism and sponsorship revenue if fan dissatisfaction leads to lower attendance or negative global perceptions. Furthermore, the lack of coordinated federal oversight means each city operates in silos, resulting in uneven service quality. As BBC News reported, FIFA has privately expressed concern about the U.S.’s decentralized planning model, which contrasts sharply with top-down national strategies seen in previous host nations.

The Fan Experience at Risk

The implications extend beyond economics to the core of fan engagement. International visitors, particularly from countries with robust rail networks like Germany, Japan, and France, may find the U.S. reliance on automobiles and patchwork transit jarring. For families and older fans, the absence of sidewalks, elevators, and real-time multilingual transit information poses accessibility challenges. Local businesses near stadiums—restaurants, hotels, and vendors—could suffer if fans avoid congested or poorly connected areas. Additionally, environmental concerns loom large: a 2023 study by the World Resources Institute found that transportation could account for over 60% of the 2026 World Cup’s carbon footprint, largely due to expected increases in domestic flights and car rentals. Without significant improvements, the U.S. risks not only a logistical shortfall but a reputational one, potentially affecting future bids for events like the Olympics or Copa América.

Expert Perspectives

Experts are divided on whether the U.S. can rise to the challenge. Dr. Sarah Green, urban planner at MIT, argues that ‘the World Cup is a forcing function—we’ve never had a deadline this visible to fix transit.’ She cites Seattle’s ongoing light rail expansion to Lumen Field as a model of proactive planning. Conversely, economist James Chen of the Cato Institute warns against ‘white elephant spending,’ noting that many World Cup transit projects, like Brazil’s 2014 monorail in Rio, were underused after the event. ‘We should invest in transit,’ he says, ‘but not because FIFA is coming—we should do it because it’s the right thing for cities.’

Looking ahead, the key question is not whether the U.S. will host the 2026 World Cup—it will—but whether it can use the event as a springboard for lasting infrastructure reform. With less than two years before kickoff, cities must accelerate transit upgrades, integrate multimodal options, and ensure equity in access. The world will be watching not just the games, but how Americans get there.

Source: Fortune