France players celebrate their team's victory at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match vs. Paraguay in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Although the quarterfinals are slated to kick off for the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, the remainder of the matches will take place outside of the Keystone State.

Philadelphia, which served as one of the 16 host cities for the World Cup across North America, was home to six matches.

Five of the matches, beginning on June 14, were for group stage play. The final showdown at Lincoln Financial Field was a round-of-16 knockout match on July 4, when France bested Paraguay 1-0.

Elected officials from both sides of the aisle are describing the experience as a success for Pennsylvania.

“Six @FIFAWorldCup matches in Philadelphia all went off without a hitch — and each brought extraordinary energy to the city,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “Grateful to the law enforcement and first responders who kept everyone safe, the transportation workers and public works teams who ensured fans could experience everything our Commonwealth has to offer, and the incredible volunteers who made visitors feel at home.”

Shapiro, who attended four matches in person, has been described by Politico as “the prospective 2028 presidential campaign field’s biggest World Cup fan.”

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., posted on social media a picture of himself alongside Ryan Boyer, business manager for the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, in attendance for the July 4 match.

“I was grateful to be at Lincoln Financial Field on the Fourth of July for the FIFA World Cup match, and I visited Independence Hall with my family the day before,” McCormick told the Center Square. “Philadelphia proudly and beautifully showcased the birthplace of America on its 250th birthday. I want to thank Mayor Parker, local law enforcement and community leaders for making this historic celebration seamless and a tremendous experience for everyone.”

Attorney General Dave Sunday likewise praised the city for the event’s success.

“Six games later, the City of Brotherly Love should be proud of the incredible experience provided to FIFA World Cup fans from all over the world over the last month,” Sunday wrote on July 5. “Congratulations to @FWC26Philly on such a successful run of events, and to @PhiladelphiaGov for showing the world the best of what this Commonwealth has to offer.”

Pennsylvania’s Department of Community & Economic Development issued a press release on Wednesday stating that more than 500,000 people are estimated to have visited Pennsylvania for the FIFA World Cup matches held in Philadelphia, including business and government leaders from over 25 countries.

While the total number of visitors and economic impact is still being calculated, Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the nonprofit and local organizing committee for the FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia, projected that the matches in the City of Brotherly Love would pump more than $770 million into the state’s economy, create 6,615 jobs, and generate $51 million in tax revenue.

Earlier this week, FIFA announced that more than 409,000 fans from over 190 countries and territories attended the six matches in Philadelphia. Nineteen hundred volunteers from 90 different countries were also present, as more than 290,000 beers were consumed, 55,000 hot dogs sold, plus 46,000 soft pretzels, 37,000 crab fries and 26,500 cheesesteaks sold, according to Axios Philadelphia.

Leading up to the World Cup, a majority of Pennsylvania’s elected officials touted it as an opportunity to showcase the state. However, others outside of the commonwealth don’t see the economic boost they believe it will provide.

Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff and former mayor of Chicago, said he declined to make Chicago a host city for the World Cup, claiming FIFA was asking taxpayers to foot too much of the bill.

“I want to be clear, I’m hoping these are very successful games,” Emanuel said in a recent interview with NBC Chicago. “I don’t wish anybody ill; that said, every other city now…got the short straw and is losing money because FIFA weight takes out all the cash and you get all the bills.”

In 2017, Phoenix elected to withdraw from the bidding process to host the event, citing costs outweighing the limited tourism benefits for Arizona, according to the Arizona Republic. Tom Sadler, president and CEO of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, said the costs would have been “far greater than a Super Bowl,” and added “given what we know now, we feel confident that Valley leaders made the right call in 2017.”

During an appearance at FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia’s Lemon Hill Park last month, Shapiro told The Center Square that although he hadn’t seen Emanuel’s comments, he expressed confidence that the tournament would benefit Pennsylvania, while citing the record-setting crowds seen at Philadelphia’s Fan Fest, which is free and open to the public.

Although no more matches are scheduled in Philadelphia, fans still have an opportunity to attend watch parties in various cities.

“And the tournament isn’t over — @FWC26Philly and @visitPA are keeping the magic alive with our free FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill and free FIFA Fan Zones across the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “To the visitors who stopped by: we hope you’re already planning your next trip back to Pennsylvania.”

The FIFA fan festival at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia, which opened on June 11, will last every day until the final day of the tournament on July 19.

“Philadelphia is the only city in the United States hosting an official FIFA Fan Festival for the entire 39-day duration of the tournament, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” Melissa Ferdinand, spokesperson for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, told the Center Square. “Even after our six matches wrapped up, the celebration is far from over — Fan Festival is open through the remainder of the tournament, giving residents and visitors additional opportunities to celebrate.”

In Pittsburgh, Fan Zone events are scheduled for a quarterfinal match on July 9 and the World Cup final on July 19 at Acrisure Stadium. Scranton’s Courthouse Square will host fan zone events on 18 and 19. In Reading, at Santander Arena, fan zone events will also take place on July 18 and 19.

“And for fans heading to the final, Philadelphia is a smart place to stay: it’s a great, affordable option, so you can soak up the Fan Festival atmosphere here and still make it to the final with ease,” Ferdinand said.

Some elected officials are already calling for the tournament to return to Philadelphia.

“I will do everything I can to get the World Cup back here as soon as possible. It’s been a remarkable success,” U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District, wrote on social media June 23. “I will also do everything I can to get the Tartan Army based in Philly. Their fans have won over America. (Though selfishly I also hope Ireland finally makes it too).”