Miami Emerges as World Cup Hot Spot as NYC, Boston Nerves Rise

The FIFA World Cup is stirring anxiety in cities from New York to Seattle over whether it can deliver the promised economic windfall. Not so in Miami.

In South Florida, home to Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, tournament organizers say they’ll have no problem drawing people to Hard Rock Stadium and fan zones for people unable to get match tickets. Bookings for hotels and short-term rentals back up their optimism even as many other host cities lag.

The city, a perennial magnet for international visitors and home to a large population of Latin American soccer fans, is getting a boost from ...