The United States added 172,000 jobs in May, significantly outpacing economists' forecasts of 105,000, as businesses ramped up hiring ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to kick off across North America next week. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said leisure and hospitality businesses accounted for 70,000 of those positions — five times the sector's average monthly gain over the prior year — with food and drink establishments alone responsible for 48,000 new hires. The tournament is being jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, with several matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York City.

Along the streets of New York, the preparations are visible everywhere. Rehan Alam, who owns The Red Lion pub and restaurant in downtown Manhattan, has hired seven extra bartenders, installed seven new televisions and brought in sound engineers to overhaul the venue's atmosphere. "Four years ago, when we had the World Cup, we didn't expect it to get that crazy, and it did," he said, recalling the tournament held in Qatar in 2022. With matches now on his doorstep in New Jersey, he expects an even larger surge. At Pelé Soccer, a football merchandise store in Times Square, Marketing Director Mickey Voll said the shop has doubled its inventories, with jerseys for Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé selling out rapidly, alongside special-edition pieces tied to national teams.

City authorities are also preparing for the logistical pressures of hosting a global event. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched an initiative offering special $26 meals at hundreds of participating restaurants across the city's five boroughs — a deliberate effort to make dining accessible during a period of sharply rising costs. Matthew Glazier, owner of Morgan's Brooklyn Barbecue, called the initiative "a bargain" and an opportunity to showcase the city's diverse food scene. Additional law enforcement is being deployed to major transit hubs, and the New York Department of Transportation has declared "Gridlock Alert Days" on World Cup match days, urging residents to work from home where possible.

Despite the optimism, the broader economic picture carries complications. Business owners like Alam note that operating costs have soared, driven in part by rising energy prices linked to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global shipping lane — for months. Inflation is running at 3.8%, outpacing average hourly earnings growth of 3.4%, and economists warn that real household disposable incomes have fallen for three consecutive months. The strong jobs figures have raised the possibility of an interest rate hike before the end of 2026, though some analysts say rate cuts remain more likely if a resolution to the Hormuz disruption is reached.

For businesses, the World Cup represents a much-needed lift. New York is also preparing for a potential overlap between World Cup fixtures and the NBA Finals, with the New York Knicks deep in contention — a combination that could make mid-June one of the most frenetic periods the city's hospitality sector has seen in years. "A boost like this is definitely going to give us that uplift of spirits," Alam said.