World Cup excitement is reaching a fever pitch, driving a surge in demand for soccer jerseys and fan merchandise. Major sportswear brands like Adidas, Nike and Puma are competing for market share by sponsoring multiple national squads.

But expectations of a broader economic boom remain debated. FIFA, football's global governing body and organizer of the tournament, projects tens of billions in additional global spending linked to the event, from travel to hospitality.

However, economists warn that the overall economic impact of major sporting events is often overstated, with benefits proving limited and short-lived for local economies — even as FIFA itself records record revenues.