June 24, 2026 — Nearly two weeks into the 2026 World Cup, restaurants, bars, seafood suppliers, industry organizations, and many other businesses are benefiting from the influx of travelers into the U.S., as well as Americans celebrating the event taking place in their home country.
Bob Donegan, the president of U.S. restaurant chain Ivar’s, which operates around 60 seafood-focused restaurants and bars, said his firm, along with the Seattle Sports Commission and other groups, met with soccer federation FIFA 15 years ago to petition for Seattle to be one of the host cities for the World Cup.
