An official countdown clock installed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on June 11 will serve as a reminder for travelers and Houston residents that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than a year away.

The big picture

Located inside Terminal D West, the installation of the clock is just one way Houston officials celebrated the milestone. City and sports leaders also gathered at POST Houston in Downtown to celebrate one year out, with keynote speakers such as Mayor John Whitmire, FIFA World Cup 26 Host Committee President Chris Cannetti and Harris County Commissioner Precinct 1 Rodney Ellis.

Former professional athletes Carlos Bocanegra, captain of the United States professional soccer team, and Warren Moon, quarterback for the Houston Oilers, were also present at the event.

"One year from today, the biggest sporting event on the planet comes to our front yard," Moon said. "We've always believed in the power of one. One dream, one community, one moment to show the world who we are. Let's make this next year very unforgettable. Let's make history. Let's show the world the power of one. The power of Houston."In case you missed it

Houston was selected in February 2024 to host seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including five group-stage matches and two knockout-round games between June 14 and July 9. Since the announcement, Houston and FIFA officials have been gearing up for the event and slowly sharing details about necessary preparations and plans for the city and its host venues.

In June 2024, it was announced that East Downtown, or EaDo, would be the site for the popular Fan Festival, a 38-day event held throughout the course of the entire tournament where residents and guests from around the world can gather, watch the games and celebrate together. Last month, FIFA officials released renderings of the transformation that will take place at the festival site, including beautification efforts with art installations, tree planting, sidewalk improvements and economic development.

During the 500-day celebration in January, Cannetti announced that modifications would be made to NRG Stadium, including enlarging the field and planting grass on the field. Canetti said during the June news conference that the upgrades to the stadium were already complete, with grass installation anticipated to start after the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is finished in 2026.Zooming in

While no major updates were shared on the World Cup during the June 11 celebration, some additional details were announced, including:

• POST Houston will be the host venue for the volunteer center for the official World Cup volunteer program
• Trae tha Truth, an American rapper and Houston native, is expected to perform at the FIFA Fan Festival

"Houston has hosted more major sports event than any other city in North America since 2004," Canetti said. "We've got a track record of success in hosting these types of events. We're putting all of our passion and experience into this and seeing the results and we still have one year to go."Something to note

Airbnb officials also shared in a news release June 13 a three-year global partnership with FIFA for new economic opportunities for local communities and support host cities like Houston.

The vacation property rentals company established a 2026 Host City Impact Program that will involve collaborating with host cities to allocate $5 million in funding to select projects that foster economic growth and enhance the overall event experience, including behind the scenes opportunities hosted by FIFA World Cup players.

The partnership will span three major tournaments, including FIFA Club World Cup 2025, FIFA World Cup 2026 and the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027.

According to the news release, Airbnb is anticipated to contribute $3.6 billion to host city economies across all 16 cities, with hosts poised to collectively earn up to $210 million. In Houston:

• An estimated $372 million in GDP will be generated by travel on Airbnb and around Houston during the tournament
• An estimated $3,000 in supplemental income is expected to be earned per stay by hosts
• Nearly 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs through 2026 supported by Airbnb guests during the tournament

Houston officials said in a panel discussion in April that the city is estimated to economically benefit by more than $1.5 billion with an expected five million fans to attend the tournament across the three host countries—Canada, Mexico and the United States—and roughly 500,000 people are expected to visit Houston to watch the games.

Stay tuned

While teams that are expected to play in Houston will not be announced until December and tickets are not yet on sale, fans can register to receive information on how to apply for FIFA World Cup tickets and receive updates through the FIFA website.

Those interested in volunteering for the tournament can sign up, here.