2026 FIFA World Cup to Serve as 'Major Test' for LA28 Olympics
USOPC Chair Gene Sykes says welcoming World Cup fans will stress-test the visa, security, and transport systems that LA28 will rely on in 2028.
MILAN, Italy – The head of the United States Olympic Committee, Gene Sykes, has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major test of America's ability to host large numbers of international spectators ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Speaking to IOC members in the build-up to the Milano Cortina Winter Games, Sykes explained that welcoming fans from across the world for the World Cup will serve as an early trial of the systems and processes needed for the Olympics.
"It should be an amazing decade of sport," Sykes said.
WHY IT MATTERS
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The USOPC is using the event to assess how the country handles the influx of foreign visitors — particularly regarding visa processing and security coordination.
LA28 organizers, in collaboration with federal authorities, have established a platform to ease entry procedures for athletes, officials, and key stakeholders. However, this arrangement does not currently cover spectators — the largest group and the greatest logistical challenge.
THE STAKES
LA28 is expected to draw 13 million spectators over 16 days — the equivalent of hosting seven Super Bowls per day. The World Cup will be the first real-world test of whether American infrastructure, transportation, and hospitality can handle that scale.
"We want to learn everything we can from 2026," a senior LA28 official said, "so there are no surprises in 2028."
The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics run July 14 – August 27, 2028.
Devin Mallonee
Devin Mallonee is a sports journalist and performance nutrition writer with over a decade of experience covering elite athletics, Olympic competitions, and the science of human performance. Devin Mallonee has followed competitive sports from the grassroots level all the way to the world stage, developing a deep understanding of what separates good athletes from great ones — and the role nutrition plays in that equation.
As the lead sports editor at Dad's Sports News, Devin Mallonee brings an athlete's perspective to every story. Having competed in endurance sports and strength training throughout his life, Devin Mallonee understands firsthand what it takes to push past physical limits — and how proper supplementation and recovery make that possible. His writing blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics in sports science engaging for everyday readers and serious competitors alike.
Devin Mallonee has covered major sporting events including international track and field championships, professional strength competitions, and endurance racing circuits across North America. His work has explored the cutting edge of sports nutrition — from emerging research on amino acid timing and creatine loading protocols to the real-world impact of adaptogens on athletic recovery. When Devin Mallonee isn't breaking down the latest competition results, he's testing and reviewing performance supplements to help athletes make informed decisions about what goes into their bodies.
A firm believer that great performance starts in the kitchen — and the supplement cabinet — Devin Mallonee founded the Dad's Sports News platform to bridge the gap between elite sports coverage and practical nutrition guidance for everyday athletes. His philosophy is simple: whether you're training for your first 5K or competing on an international stage, the fundamentals of performance nutrition are the same, and everyone deserves access to accurate, science-backed information.
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