The FIFA World Cup 2026 entered an exciting phase as the Round of 16 delivered thrilling encounters on and off the pitch. Norway pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the tournament by defeating Brazil 2-1, while England secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Mexico to book their places in the quarterfinals.

As the competition moves into the knockout stage, every match has become increasingly significant, with teams battling for a place in football history.

Beyond the action on the field, the tournament continues to drive strong demand across host cities. According to industry insights, hotels in the 16 host markets largely performed as expected during the group stage, with average room rates rising significantly compared to last year, while occupancy levels remained relatively stable.

Hotel performance is expected to remain strong throughout the knockout rounds, although demand may fluctuate as matches are scheduled further apart than during the group stage.

Industry experts believe the upward trend in hotel rates will continue, with individual markets witnessing varying demand depending on the significance of the fixtures being hosted.

Philadelphia is expected to be one of the standout markets during the knockout stage as it hosts the France vs Paraguay fixture, attracting travelling supporters along with visitors attending America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Dallas and Atlanta are also expected to experience strong hotel demand as they prepare to host the tournament's semifinal matches, while Miami is set to welcome fans for the third-place playoff.

The tournament will conclude with the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Final at East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19th July. Hospitality experts expect hotel demand in nearby New York City to mirror the surge typically seen during major events such as the Super Bowl, as football fans from around the world gather for the championship match.

With dramatic results on the pitch and continued momentum across the hospitality sector, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is proving to be a major boost for both global football and tourism.