Analysis of the macroeconomic effects of organising the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Belgium

This study discusses the possible effects of the Football World Cup in 2018 on eco- nomic expenditures. These expenditures mainly concern investments in stadiums and tourist spending by visitors. However, visiting teams, the media and organisational and security spending also generate effects. Total expenditure is estimated at €1.15 billion, spread over an eight-year period, with a large confidence interval. The effects of those expenditures on eco- nomic activity were calculated using two economic models: an input-output model and the macroeconomic model, HERMES. The effect on GDP should amount to approximately 0.13% in 2018. Employment should increase by roughly 450 to 750 jobs during the run-up to the tourna- ment and by an equivalent of 4 000 to 8 000 man-years in the course of the tournament itself.