Kenny Webster

Do you like traffic and hate fun? Then you’ll love the World Cup!

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to NRG Stadium, and Houston’s promoters are positively giddy. Billboards are blooming, committees are convening and economic impact reports are shinier than a new pair of cleats.

Yet for some strange reason, your typical Houstonian isn’t exactly fireworks-level thrilled. They’re not repainting their F-150 with soccer balls or practicing their vuvuzela skills.

Why the surprising lack of excitement? Who doesn’t love a generous helping of international soccer hooligans, soul-crushing traffic and a slick globalist sports organization that treats our city like an ATM while the real profits get wired to people who don’t live here?

I guess I just answered my own question.

FIFA is on track to pocket a cool $11 billion. Houston’s thrilling reward? We get to cover security, shuttles, tax breaks and last-minute infrastructure for visitors, then hope we break even — accountant-speak for “thanks for playing, taxpayers.”

The much-hyped $1.5 billion local impact mostly means short-term visitor dollars that leak out faster than our air conditioning in August. At least the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo hands out scholarships.

As for the promise that World Cup visitors will boost local businesses, I’m skeptical.

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