Donald Trump stated during a FIFA event at Trump Tower in New York that the U.S. should be selected as a host nation again soon, specifically excluding Canada and Mexico from future joint bids.
The Path to a 2038 U.S. World Cup Bid
The possibility of the United States hosting the 2038 tournament hinges on FIFA’s current continental rotation policies. While a 12-year gap between hosting duties is historically brief, the schedule for upcoming tournaments has narrowed the field of potential candidates. The 2030 World Cup will span three continents, involving Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, while the 2034 edition is slated for Saudi Arabia.
Under current FIFA regulations, the 2038 rotation leaves only North America and Oceania as eligible regions. Trump emphasized his preference for a solo U.S. bid during his address to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, moving away from the multi-nation hosting model utilized for the 2026 tournament, where the U.S. hosted 78 of the 104 total matches.
Did you know?
The 2026 tournament marked the first time the U.S. hosted matches from the quarter-finals through the final, solidifying its infrastructure capacity for high-stakes international football.
Diplomatic Interventions and FIFA Governance
Reports indicate that Donald Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino regarding the status of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had received a red card during the round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
FIFA subsequently took the step of suspending the red card, allowing Balogun to participate in the following match against Belgium. While the U.S. team ultimately lost that game 1-4, failing to advance to the quarter-finals, the team’s performance marked its deepest run since 2002. Trump publicly credited Infantino for the decision, noting, “You never get the appreciation for that.”
Potential for Future U.S.-China Joint Bidding
Trump disclosed that Infantino had reached out to him to discuss the potential for the United States and China to serve as co-hosts for a future World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the U.S. eligible to host again so soon?
Because of the hosting schedule for 2030 and 2034, FIFA’s rotation rules currently limit eligible bidders for 2038 to North America and Oceania. - Can the U.S. host alone? Trump has explicitly stated a preference for a solo bid, excluding current partners Canada and Mexico.
- What was the controversy regarding Folarin Balogun?
What do you think about the future of World Cup hosting? Should nations focus on individual bids or continue the trend of multi-country partnerships? Join the conversation in the comments below or subscribe to our sports newsletter for the latest updates on FIFA’s 2038 planning.