World Cup ready — why airport innovation is Florida’s next economic advantage

As Florida prepares to welcome millions of global travelers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Sunshine State has a clear opportunity to lead the nation in modern airport technology — but only if we act now.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding to 48 teams and drawing unprecedented numbers of fans from around the world. Analysts project that roughly 6 to 6.5 million spectators will attend matches across North America, with host cities in the United States — including Miami — poised to receive hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Yet while the thrill of world-class soccer arrives in cities from Miami to Orlando and beyond, Florida’s airports must be prepared for an extraordinary surge in international and domestic travel traffic. That starts with how we process passengers — quickly, securely, and efficiently.

Recently, Miami, Orlando, and West Palm Beach rolled out CLEAR’s new biometric eGates to speed up security checks, allowing travelers to bypass traditional ID verification by using rapid facial recognition technology. This isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessary modernization.

CLEAR’s groundbreaking eGate technology — developed in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) — uses facial biometrics to match travelers’ identities with their IDs and boarding passes in seconds. Under a TSA public-private partnership, these systems help automate the identity verification step of security screening, easing bottlenecks without increasing taxpayer costs. CLEAR’s eGates are part of a nationwide effort to modernize the travel experience ahead of the World Cup’s massive arrivals.

So why should Florida make this technology standard at every airport?

Florida is a global gateway.

With world-class destinations spanning the entire state of Florida, our airports are key arrival points for international visitors. Whether soccer fans flying into Miami, Orlando, Fort

Lauderdale-Hollywood, Jacksonville, or Tampa Bay, travelers deserve a security experience that reflects the state’s hospitality and innovation.

Long lines are more than an inconvenience — they’re a public image issue.

Travelers already expect frictionless experiences in many aspects of daily life. Delays at security can sour the start of a vacation or business trip, and with millions arriving for the World Cup, even minor inefficiencies will be magnified.

Efficient security supports economic growth.

The World Cup is expected to generate billions in tourism spending, with local economies relying on swift airport processing to convert global interest into lasting economic

impact. Making CLEAR’s advanced eGate technology widely available across Florida can enhance visitor satisfaction, boost tourism growth, and build a lasting reputation for innovation.

The technology is ready — and aligned with national security goals.

Under the TSA’s public-private framework, CLEAR’s eGates operate with full government oversight, ensuring national security remains paramount. Biometric verification speeds up identity matching while preserving rigorous vetting standards.

As cities around the world adopt biometric screening to manage traveler flows, Florida has an opportunity to become a national leader in airport efficiency and technological advancement. The stakes of 2026 are high, not just for soccer, but for the broader future of travel in the United States.

Let’s ensure that when the world comes to Florida, our airports greet them with the fastest, safest, and most seamless experience possible — powered by CLEAR’s innovative eGate technology, deployed across every major airport in the state.

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State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee.