World Cup in the U.S. could mean a $5-billion windfall, study claims

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According to a study released today by the committee bidding to stage the World Cup in the United States in either 2018 or 2022, such an event could have ‘a conservative domestic economic impact of $5 billion’ if the U.S. is selected to host one of the two tournaments.

It would also lead to the creation of an estimated 65,000 to 100,000 jobs, according to the study done by Economics practice at AECOM, formerly Economic Research Associates.

The tournament would boost the economy of the projected dozen host cities, including Los Angeles, by between $400 million and $600 million, the study estimated.

‘The numbers delivered by this study fully support our initial estimations,’ said David Downs, executive director of the U.S. bid committee.

‘While the economic impact to our country and our cities during the World Cup will be of vast significance, our goal is to have an even greater impact during the eight to 12 years leading up to the event that will stimulate the development of the game and the soccer economy, both at national and international levels.’

The U.S. is one of 11 bidders seeking to stage the quadrennial world championship, which it played host to in 1994.

-- Grahame L. Jones