The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is generating significant excitement among Los Angeles businesses, many of which are expecting a substantial economic uplift from the global sporting event. With matches scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium, local enterprises are preparing for an influx of international visitors and heightened consumer activity. n nSoccer Shop USA, located in the Arts District, has already begun receiving orders from abroad and is stocking up on official team jerseys for all participating nations. Giovanna Afa, a sales manager at the store, noted that fans are actively seeking kits for their favorite teams, including Ivory Coast, Switzerland, and Senegal. The shop also serves as a distribution hub, offering a broad inventory that spans continents. n n”Here you can see the latest 2026 World Cup jerseys,” Afa told NBC4, highlighting the range available. “From Africa, we have Ivory Coast. From Europe, Switzerland, and right here, Senegal.” She emphasized the widespread appeal of soccer, noting its global reach across countries like Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, and the United States. n nCustomer enthusiasm is palpable, with many eager to attend matches locally. This surge in interest is expected to translate into increased spending across the city. Crispin Alapag, general manager of Wood BBQ and Sports Bar in Inglewood, believes the event will not only benefit individual businesses but also elevate community spirit. n n”It’s not just good for commerce but also for the city’s morale,” Alapag said. “With the World Cup and the upcoming Olympics, this period will be transformative for local enterprises and Inglewood as a whole.” He added that smaller businesses, particularly those recovering from recent challenges, could see meaningful gains from visitor traffic. n nFor Soccer Shop USA, the 2026 tournament marks a milestone. While Afa participated in the 1994 World Cup trade during the last U.S. hosting cycle, she observes that the sport’s popularity and commercial scale have expanded dramatically since then. n— news from NBC4 Los Angeles
— News Original —nLA businesses hopeful for economic boost from 2026 FIFA World CupnIt is the biggest event for the most popular sport in the world and businesses in Los Angeles are hoping it brings a much-needed economic boost to the city. n nThe 2026 FIFA World Cup is just months away and businesses like Soccer Shop USA are already preparing for the first match at SoFi Stadium. n nGiovanna Afa, a sales manager at Soccer Shop USA, says fans have already started searching for their favorite team ‘s kit. The Arts District store doubles as their warehouse, where fans can find jerseys from every World Cup team. n n”Right here, you’re looking at the new jerseys for World Cup 2026,” said Afa, showing off the vast selection of jerseys to NBC4. “Look from Africa, we have Ivory Coast. From Europe, we have Switzerland, right there Senegal from Africa.” n nAfa says she can sense the excitement from the fans who are eager to watch a match in their backyard. n n”Soccer is a sport that covers everybody. As people play in Brazil, people play here, South Korea, Mexico, you name it,” said Afa. “So people are like ‘Do you have this jersey? Are you going to have this? They are so excited. Because they will have a chance to see the games.” n nFans will not only see the games, but also have the opportunity to spend money at businesses throughout Los Angeles. n n”I think it’s not only good for business but also for the morale of the city,” said Crispin Alapag, general manager of the Wood BBQ and Sports Bar in Inglewood. “You’ll have the World Cup and then you’ll also have the Olympics coming soon… It’s definitely going to be great for all the businesses in the area and just for the city of Inglewood as a whole.” n nAlapag says the influx of people could provide a great economic boost, especially for small businesses that are struggling. n nFor Soccer Shop USA, orders are already coming in from different countries, many of which will be stopping in the City of Angels. n nAfa ‘s first World Cup with her business was in 1994, the last time the US hosted games, but she says the sport has grown significantly since then.