The World Cup Brought Fans to the US, but the Business Opportunity Is in Greater Phoenix.

Published: 06/24/2026

As the World Cup draws visitors from countries around the world to places like Dallas, Atlanta and New York, international executives are using the moment to scout U.S. investment opportunities.  

But many are overlooking a southwestern U.S. market that global companies have already chosen: Greater Phoenix, Arizona. Here’s what the data shows: 

1. Major international markets have already bet on Greater Phoenix

A decade of strategic global investment has made Greater Phoenix one of America’s top FDI destinations, drawing deep commitments from Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas that have reshaped the region’s trade relationships, supply chains and workforce.

  • Since 2015, Arizona has attracted 170 European FDI projects generating $10.78B and nearly 17,000 jobs, anchored by ASML, Bosch and Airbus across semiconductor, logistics and aerospace ecosystems
  • Arizona directs 47% of its trade to the APAC region, with Taiwan exports surging 785% since 2020 and 22 Taiwanese firms already committed to TSMC’s Greater Phoenix supply chain
  • Mexico and Canada together reflect Arizona’s dominance in nearshoring, with the state ranking 7th for Mexican FDI projects and 11th for Canadian, totaling $4.51B and nearly 6,700 jobs since 2015

Why it matters: When companies from every major global market independently choose the same metro, it stops being a trend and starts being a signal. The supply chains, partnerships and networks here mean the next company is joining an ecosystem that’s already working

2. Getting here and back is easier than most think 

Greater Phoenix has built the infrastructure necessary for international operations to move people and products efficiently across continents. 

  • London and Paris have overnight flights, served by British Airways, American Airlines and Air France
  • China Airlines and STARLUX connect Phoenix directly to Taipei
  • Air Canada, WestJet and Porter cover nearly every major Canadian city, while 12 Mexican cities have direct service, including Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Hermosillo
  • New York is 4.5 hours by air and the U.S. West Coast under two

Freight transportation moves with the same efficiency in Greater Phoenix.

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, consistently ranked among the best airports in the U.S., handled more than $1B each of imported and exported goods in 2024, with imports up 300% since 2014
  • Mesa Gateway Airport is home to the nation’s only inland international air logistics hub with joint U.S.-Mexico customs processing, eliminating a layer of border friction that slows most cross-border supply chains.

What this means: Greater Phoenix has built the kind of international connectivity matched only by the largest metros, and the region has made a deliberate commitment for continued expansion.

3. A robust talent pipeline has already been built 

For international companies evaluating a U.S. manufacturing location, workforce availability is often the deciding factor. Greater Phoenix has made it a structural advantage.  

  • Arizona State University’s Materials-to-Fab Center ($30M) and the University of Arizona’s Micro/Nano Fabrication Center ($35.5M) anchor semiconductor R&D, prototyping, optical devices and quantum computing research
  • The Maricopa County Community College District’s Semiconductor Technician Quick Start Program are producing thousands of job-ready technicians, with Grand Canyon University running an 11-week direct-to-TSMC placement program and the Future48 Aerospace Workforce Accelerator, built with Boeing and Honeywell, is launching in 2026
  • ASU London creates dual-degree pathways embedding Arizona in European talent networks, while a 2025 MOU with the Netherlands established bilateral semiconductor workforce development and research collaboration

Zooming out: Greater Phoenix has built a workforce system that is industry-led, internationally connected and scaling in tandem with the companies that count on it.

4. The tariff environment favors companies that move now

U.S. tariffs have accelerated a decision most international manufacturers were already facing: shifting from importing to producing domestically. International companies are choosing to build bases in Greater Phoenix. 

  • The semiconductor, aerospace and advanced manufacturing supply chains already operating in the region mean new entrants plug into existing infrastructure rather than build from scratch
  • Foreign Trade Zones in Greater Phoenix allow manufacturers to defer or reduce customs duties on imported components used in domestic production — a direct financial mechanism for companies mid-transition from import to domestic manufacturing
  • Semiconductor exemptions are currently in place for products tied to domestic supply chain buildout, meaning Greater Phoenix is one of the few metros in the country with the infrastructure for immediate action

Bottom line: The window for first-mover advantage in Greater Phoenix is open, and international companies that move now gain access to the infrastructure, supply chains and business networks that are already thriving at scale.

Ready to make your move?

 Download the Greater Phoenix FDI Toolkit or explore the Arizona International Soft Landing Experience program to find out how companies are landing, growing and thriving here.
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