Hosting the World Cup is a source of immense national pride, but the economics behind the spectacle are hotly debated.

The promise

Host nations point to tourism, global exposure, infrastructure upgrades and a feel-good factor that can last for years.

The reality

Critics note that stadiums can become costly ‘white elephants’, and that the biggest financial rewards often flow to the sport’s governing bodies rather than local communities.

Getting the balance right — building venues that serve people long after the final whistle — is the challenge every host must confront.