GALVESTON -

Last week, island residents learned that the city paid $600,000 generated by the hotel occupancy tax to join Houston’s host committee as a 2026 FIFA World Cup promotional partner.

And judging by emails received by the Daily News, they want to know what they stand to get out of the deal.

The city expects to see tangible short-term and long-term benefits from the project, Visit Galveston CEO Tony Lyle said. The primary benefit will be an unprecedented marketing opportunity, Lyle said.

“The thing that really excites us, is that, number one, we’re allowed to promote our position within the host city territory," Lyle said. "We can officially use the words 'FIFA World Cup ‘26,' which is good for online marketing."

Soccer fans who travel across the world to watch their favorite

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