2026 FIFA World Cup heightens cybercrime risk and pushes Latin American tourists to longer stays

Cybersecurity firm Commvault warns that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will create a larger attack surface for cybercriminals. The expanded tournament format—with 48 teams and simultaneous events in three host nations—means more digital touchpoints such as ticketing platforms, streaming services, transport apps, hotels and airports could be targeted. The company advises organisations to assume no system is fully immune, to strengthen data‑backup strategies, employ multi‑factor authentication and prepare rapid incident‑response plans.

Travel market analysis from IATI Seguros indicates Latin American visitors are planning far longer trips for the tournament, with average stays expected to reach 16 nights—about double previous sports‑event averages. Sixty‑two percent of travellers intend to visit at least three cities, driving a roughly 20 % increase in per‑visitor spending and a surge in demand for flexible travel‑insurance coverage. The trend reflects a “slow‑travel” approach that combines major host cities with smaller destinations in Mexico and beyond, raising logistical complexity and the need for comprehensive medical and cancellation protection.