As preparations for the World Cup unfold, a concerning trend emerges in host cities across the U.S. and Mexico, with hotel bookings falling significantly short of projections. A recent report indicates that 80% of hotels are experiencing demand below expectations, raising alarms about the potential $30 billion economic impact of the event. Cities like Kansas City are notably trailing behind other U.S. host locations, and a lack of foreign soccer fans could jeopardize anticipated tourism growth. Additionally, Airbnb hosts are also reporting disappointing demand for their accommodations. As challenges mount, industry leaders fear that the World Cup may not live up to its hype, prompting calls for new strategies to capture the interest of travelers.