Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, satellite images reveal a completely different scene behind the scenes in the United States, as major international airports are transformed into open workshops in preparation to receive millions of fans.
Pictures taken by Planet Labs PBC, and obtained by the Al Jazeera Network’s open source unit, showed extensive transformations in the infrastructure that were no less significant than the preparations inside the stadiums.
These data indicate accelerated construction work, including the construction of new passenger terminals, the expansion of existing stations, and the reconfiguration of runways and operating areas, in at least 6 major international airports.
These changes do not appear to be just separate construction projects, but rather an integrated logistical map extending from the air entry gates to the cities hosting the matches.
From New York to Los Angeles, and from Miami to Houston, Dallas, and Seattle, the United States treats its airports as an essential part of the “World Cup stadium,” not just transit points for travelers.
Pictures taken between last October and this June show clear changes in the operational structure, which included expanding existing buildings, creating new halls, reorganizing internal spaces, and paving areas related to runways and aircraft paths.
These expansions come as part of preparations for the edition hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, 2026, which will witness the holding of 104 matches, including 78 matches on American soil.
With this momentum, American airports face a double test: accommodating the expected huge crowd flow, and maintaining regular travel in one of the world’s busiest aviation networks.
JFK Airport (New York)
John F. Kennedy International Airport witnessed a huge visual transformation at a cost of $19 billion, through the construction of two new giant terminals, and the expansion and modernization of the current passenger terminals, according to the airport’s official website.
Analysis of photos taken from January 15 until the last available photos on May 26 indicates the construction of a building in the south of the airport with an area of about 31,000 square metres.
According to the pictures, the upgrades included an expansion of Terminal 4 worth $1.5 billion, according to official airport data.
The images also showed infrastructure improvements within the airport through extensive paving of inter-roads, in addition to the expansion of Terminal 4.
Satellite images did not show all of the airport’s interior upgrades, but the development program included updates to the check-in hall, new gate finishes, expanded curbside drop-off space, additional digital signage, restroom upgrades, and conversion of regional aircraft gate areas to accommodate mainline aircraft.
The importance of these expansions is that JFK Airport will be a main gateway for World Cup fans heading to the matches that will be hosted by New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), which is about 51 kilometers from the airport, where it will host 5 matches in the group stage, a match in the round of 32, a match in the round of 16, in addition to the final match of the 2026 World Cup.
Los Angeles Airport
According to the official FIFA website, Sophie Stadium in the American city of Los Angeles will host 8 matches in the World Cup, including 5 matches in the group stage, two matches in the round of 32, and a match in the quarter-finals, making it one of the most American stadiums hosting matches during the tournament.
In view of the severe crowding that Los Angeles Airport is expected to witness from fans, extensive development work has begun, which has witnessed the demolition of Terminal 5, in preparation for its construction with a larger expansion, according to the announced planning.
The pictures also showed the construction of a large building on the western side with an area of 14,000 square metres, and the construction of another building on the eastern side with an area of 30,000 square metres, in addition to paving operations in the northwestern part of the airport itself, which included painting the airport’s runways, as well as drawing aircraft paths.
The official website of the American city of Los Angeles revealed that construction work inside the airport is being carried out by assembling structures and constructions at a location outside the airport, and then later assembling them in their designated location inside the airport.
Miami Airport
American estimates indicate that about one million additional visitors are expected to arrive at Miami Airport in Florida, to attend 7 World Cup matches that will be held at Hard Rock Stadium, most notably the match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H on June 15, and the quarter-final match on July 11.
Miami has witnessed major infrastructure changes, of which the airport was at the heart. The airport is already witnessing development projects, the pace of which was accelerated by the World Cup. The cost of airport development projects is about 14 billion dollars, and the plan paves the way for the airport to receive more than 77 million passengers and 4 million tons of cargo by 2040, according to the airport’s official website.
A comparison of satellite images taken since October 31 and recent ones taken on May 15 shows extensive construction work on the eastern side of the airport, which included constructing buildings and reorganizing parking spaces. The images also show renovations and resurfacing of the airport runway.
George Bush Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has undergone developments costing about $2.5 billion, including the construction of a new ticket hall, an improved security area, and modern baggage systems.
Comparing images between last March 23 and May 24 shows the completion of construction of a central facility in the heart of the airport, which is expected to serve about 36 million passengers annually, according to official sources.
The airport serves fans heading to Houston Stadium, and is scheduled to host 7 World Cup matches, including 5 group stage matches, a round of 32 match, and a round of 16 match.
Dallas Fort Worth Airport
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world, and it is the main gateway to the Dallas-Fort area in the US state of Texas during the World Cup, and the primary destination for fans to reach AT&T Stadium, which will host 9 matches, 5 matches in the group stage, 2 matches in the round of 32, a match in the round of 16, and a match in the semi-finals.
Satellite images taken on January 14 and recent ones on May 31 showed the expansion of Terminal E, in addition to the construction of a completely new Terminal F, in addition to paving work on the airport runway.
According to geographical analysis, the area of the new passenger terminal reached about 40,000 square meters, at a cost of $1.6 billion, according to the airport’s official website.
Seattle Airport
Although Lumen Field Stadium in Washington State will witness 6 World Cup matches, including 4 matches in the group stage, one match in the round of 32, and one match in the round of 16, and it is considered one of the least in the plan of American stadiums, Seattle Airport – which is considered the main destination for fans there – was not without development processes.
Satellite images taken on November 8 and May 2 show the expansion of Terminal C, with an area of more than 5,000 square metres, at a cost of about 400 million US dollars, according to the airport’s official website.
Crisis at airports despite development
A senior official in the American transportation sector said that fans traveling to the World Cup this summer in the United States are facing turmoil, due to an ongoing government closure that threatens to create a “dangerous situation” at the country’s airports, according to a warning from a senior official in the transportation sector.
British news agency PA Media reported that members of the US Congress heard warnings of a “potential perfect storm” as a result of the severe shortage of security personnel on the front lines, in addition to the arrival of millions of fans for the tournament, which begins on June 11.
Source (FIFA)
Hanguin McNeil, the acting head of the Transportation Security Administration, told a committee in the US House of Representatives that more than 480 officers have resigned since the beginning of the budget dispute in mid-February, which led to the unpaid salaries of tens of thousands of employees.
She added that there has also been an increase in employee absences “because they simply cannot afford to come to work.”
This situation led to record long queues, with passengers having to wait more than 4 hours to pass through security checkpoints at some airports.
McNeil added that this coincided with a sharp increase in cases of assault on employees.
President Donald Trump has already sent federal immigration agents to help with the Transportation Security Administration, and he has said he may deploy National Guard troops.
