Despite a recent decline in overseas travel to the United States, President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to global fans to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, both of which will be hosted by the U.S. In a speech at the UN General Assembly, Trump expressed his hope that "countless people from all over the globe" will participate in these events.

However, this invitation comes at a time when the U.S. is experiencing a drop in international tourism. Preliminary government data indicates that overseas travel to the U.S. fell by 2.9% year-on-year in August, with approximately 3.5 million visitors. This marks the sixth month of decline this year, defying expectations that inbound visitors would surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2025.

Several factors are contributing to this downturn. Stricter visa regulations, including a "visa integrity fee" of $250 for visitors from non-visa waiver countries, are making it more expensive and complicated for many to visit the U.S.. These visitors also face long average visa wait times, with an average of 169 days for a B-1/B-2 tourism or business visa interview.

The Trump administration's policies and rhetoric on immigration, trade, and foreign policy are also discouraging tourists. Experts suggest that these factors have created a perception of the U.S. as less welcoming to international visitors.

Despite these challenges, the 2026 World Cup remains a highly anticipated event. FIFA reported that over 1.5 million ticket applications from fans in 210 countries were received within 24 hours of the presale draw. The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, is expected to draw significant global attention.

To ensure the success and safety of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Trump has established a White House task force. He signed an executive order creating the task force, which will coordinate federal planning for transportation, security, and visa processing. Trump will personally chair the task force, with Vice President JD Vance serving as its vice chair. The task force includes members of his cabinet and key government officials. Trump has also stated that he would do anything necessary to keep the Olympics safe, potentially including deploying the National Guard or military.

The 2028 Olympics are expected to be the largest ever, generating an estimated $18 billion in nationwide economic activity and supporting approximately 90,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The Games will be the first Olympics hosted in the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

While the U.S. faces challenges in attracting international tourists, Trump's invitation to global fans underscores the importance of the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics as opportunities to showcase the nation and foster international goodwill.