World Cup 2026 Opens as Wall Street Looks for Winning Stocks

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•  11 Jun 2026
 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened this week in North America, but beyond the battle for the trophy, Wall Street is trying to identify which investments could benefit from the worlds largest sporting event. For some investors, the tournament is not only about soccer but also an opportunity to evaluate potential effects on markets, sectors, and publicly traded companies.

One of the main areas of focus is the host countries. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are expected to welcome millions of fans in the coming weeks, with expectations for increased activity across tourism, hospitality, transportation, and consumer spending. As a result, analysts point to exchange-traded funds such as the iShares MSCI Mexico ETF and the iShares MSCI Canada ETF as ways to gain exposure to the potential economic impact of the tournament on local markets.

At the same time, some investors are also examining countries considered contenders to win the tournament. The idea is based on historical data showing that stock markets in World Cup-winning countries have tended to outperform the global average during the month following the tournaments conclusion.

Spain is currently viewed as one of the leading favorites to lift the trophy, leading some investors to focus on the iShares MSCI Spain ETF. Also mentioned are the iShares MSCI France ETF and the iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF, which provide exposure to France and the United Kingdom, whose national teams are also among the leading contenders.

$DKNG DraftKings is among the companies investors are watching as the World Cup creates a potential catalyst for increased sports betting activity. One of the industries expected to benefit most directly from the tournament is sports wagering, which typically experiences a sharp rise in activity during major international events. Investors can access the theme through the Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF, which holds positions in DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment, and other casino operators, as well as through the recently launched Corgi Sports Betting & Gambling ETF. DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment could benefit from increased betting volume during the tournament, although some analysts believe strong industry growth is already partially reflected in share prices. The setup highlights continued institutional flows into sports betting as investors assess near-term demand trends.

Beyond betting, the World Cup is also expected to influence leisure and tourism-related industries. Fan travel between countries and cities creates additional demand for hotels, flights, rental cars, restaurants, and entertainment services. In this context, the Invesco Dynamic Leisure and Entertainment ETF is frequently cited because it includes holdings in Hilton, Marriott, Airbnb, Expedia, and Tripadvisor. The fund offers broad exposure to tourism and hospitality businesses that could benefit from the economic activity generated by the tournament. Food and beverage companies may also experience temporary increases in consumption as fans gather in restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to watch matches.

Some investors are seeking more direct exposure to the sports industry itself. The Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF is one of the funds attempting to capitalize on this trend through investments in sports and entertainment-related companies. Its holdings include Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund, two publicly traded football clubs with numerous players participating in the tournament. Strong performances by players or national teams could increase public visibility for these clubs and influence investor interest. The fund also owns American sports-related companies, allowing it to benefit from multiple trends simultaneously, including global football events and developments across other sports sectors. This dynamic may support earnings momentum and attract additional institutional flows during periods of heightened sports engagement.

Despite enthusiasm surrounding the tournament, analysts emphasize that World Cup-related market effects tend to be limited in duration. Sporting events can create short-term movements in specific sectors, but over the longer term, company performance continues to be driven primarily by underlying business fundamentals rather than tournament outcomes. Multiple expansion tied to event-driven optimism may occur temporarily, but sustainable returns ultimately depend on operational execution and financial performance.

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