Will World Cup matches provide economic boon to Houston?

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- FIFA has estimated that the upcoming World Cup matches will bring a total of $47 billion to Houston and 10 other American host cities this summer.

It's a number that is unlikely to come to fruition, according to a sports economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

"I'm not buying that," Dr. Victor Matheson said. "The reason for this study is so FIFA can pass the cost of its event onto host cities."

Matheson went on to say that any money made from the event is unlikely to be noticed by the average American.

"If I'm a hotel in Downtown Houston, those are the folks who are going to do quite well in all of this," he explained from a local standpoint.

An investigation from our news partners at the Houston Chronicle states Houston will be lucky to "break even" when all of this is said and done.

The investigation echoes Matheson's claim that FIFA shifts the majority of its costs onto host cities.

So who's paying in Houston? It's the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee, according to that organization's president.

"The list of things we have to fulfill is extensive," Chris Canetti said.

He said it includes items such as security and stadium improvements.

The committee says they'll pay for it all through sources such as private fundraising and funds from state and federal entities.

Canetti said a federal grant will ultimately pay for security related to the matches.

One thing Canetti wouldn't say was how much all of this would cost the committee.

The writer behind the Chronicle's investigation told ABC13 that the figure might not come to light until next year.

"We'll probably get a better idea next year when the organizing committee will have to file a tax return showing how much they spent," Dylan McGuinness said.

Canetti said the committee expects more than 500,000 visitors to come to Houston as a result of this summer's matches.