, /PRNewswire/ — GSMA Intelligence’s latest Insight Spotlight report analyzes How the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States will generate important opportunitiesfor mobile operators, not only to deliver robust, high-capacity connectivity, but also to enable new business services and improve user experience. With expected huge traffic increases in stadiums, fan zones, airports and host cities, operators are investing in 5G network densification, including small cells, distributed antenna systems, millimeter waves, Wi-Fi hotspots, temporary sites, backbone upgrades and additional spectrum.
The document argues that the opportunity goes far beyond basic coverage. For enterprise customers and event organizers, technologies such as private 5G, edge computing and IoT can support critical event operations, including broadcasts, video assistant referee systems, public safety, crowd management, digital signage, connected cameras, drones and ambulances. As major US carriers continue to deploy 5G Standalone, the report suggests that advanced capabilities such as network slicing will likely underpin many of these differentiated connectivity services.
For consumers, the World Cup also opens up new monetization opportunities. These include eSIM offers for international travelers, premium experience-based rates with features such as guaranteed speed, priority access and low latency, and network-native services such as live translation that do not rely on app downloads or specialized hardware. GSMA Intelligence highlights the growing interest of consumers in this type of proposals focused on connectivity.
The report also highlights complementary revenue opportunities for operators that do not directly own content rights. These opportunities range from partnerships with official broadcasters to enabling immersive and complementary content, such as extended reality (XR) and multi-angle viewing, as well as supporting fan experience services with location-based information and integrated access to rides or venues. Overall, the paper concludes that major sporting events, such as the 2026 World Cup, are becoming important showcases for operators to demonstrate the value of advanced networks, develop new service models and strengthen their role in the broader digital experience economy.
GSMA Intelligence has shared more information through its recent post on LinkedIn and its podcast, available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple and Amazon Music