Imports of soccer balls into the United States have reached a record high in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by USA Today citing available trade data.

According to GoogleNewsEN, the surge in soccer ball imports is directly attributed to anticipated increases in consumer and commercial demand associated with the upcoming World Cup, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. The tournament is widely regarded as one of the largest sporting events in the world and historically generates substantial commercial activity across host nations.

The specific import figures, as well as the countries of origin for the imported soccer balls, are not detailed in the available source material provided by GoogleNewsEN. The report does indicate, however, that the record import volumes reflect broader economic preparations within the American market in anticipation of the event.

The relevant trade parties and importers could not be reached for comment.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament to feature an expanded field of 48 participating nations, a development that is expected to significantly increase the commercial and logistical scale of the event compared to previous editions.