HOUSTON, TX – With less than a year until Houston hosts matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Houston Airports is finalizing key infrastructure projects to accommodate the expected influx of international travelers.
According to Airport Director Jim Szczesniak, the new international terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be fully operational and “completely broken in” before the tournament begins. The former Terminal D space will be repurposed as a ground transportation hub to better manage shuttle services in coordination with METRO and private operators.
Szczesniak compared the anticipated traffic to a Super Bowl, citing large volumes of VIPs, teams and fans. While broad preparations are underway, detailed planning will be refined once participating teams are confirmed due to varying fan travel patterns.
In addition to the new terminal, Houston Airports has expanded Uber and Lyft capacity with a dedicated lot at Terminal C and additional arrivals curb space at the international terminal. Officials also plan to roll out expedited passenger processing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to move international travelers through customs more quickly.
Szczesniak emphasized that Bush and Hobby airports will serve as Houston’s “first and last impression” for international visitors. He noted Houston’s central location and nonstop connectivity to all U.S. World Cup host cities, positioning the city as a potential “base camp” for fans wishing to attend matches across the country.
