Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
2038 World Cup discussions are already gathering pace in the United States, only 12 years after the country staged the 2026 tournament with Canada and Mexico. FIFA’s rising ticket and hospitality income, combined with the chance to secure a far richer American television deal, has placed another United States bid firmly on the agenda in July 2026.
United States president Donald Trump publicly backed the idea before the World Cup final, directing his message towards FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “We have to do this again and we have to do it while I’m around, you hear that Gianni?” Donald Trump told Fox News.
The debate comes while emotions around the tournament remain high, including the events covered in Argentina Soccer Backlash Grows After World Cup Final Fight.
American revenue changes FIFA calculations
FIFA’s financial forecasts explain much of the interest. Gianni Infantino told representatives from FIFA’s 211 member associations in New York that expected revenue for the current four-year cycle had risen from $11 billion to $15 billion.
Ticketing and hospitality sales have reportedly passed $5 billion, making that market worth more than World Cup television rights for the first time. Packed stadiums showed that high prices did little to weaken demand, while dynamic pricing and authorised resale methods fitted the buying habits of the American market.
“Fifa will want to get back here as quickly as possible,” said a senior figure at one of its hospitality partners.
That appetite gives FIFA reason to consider a return earlier than many expected. A second United States tournament would offer another chance to sell premium seats and hospitality packages across large stadiums, backed by an audience already willing to pay heavily for elite sport.
Fox Sports deal leaves money on the table
The American television market adds another powerful financial reason. Fox Sports paid $485 million for English-language rights to the 2026 World Cup, the same fee it paid for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, despite the 2026 competition featuring 40 extra matches and being staged partly on home soil.
FIFA awarded those rights without a bidding contest after the 2022 World Cup was moved to the northern winter. The change clashed with the National Football League and National Basketball Association seasons, creating the risk of legal action because the original television contracts had already been completed.
Fox Sports has since benefited from strong audiences and is forecast by industry specialists to earn more than $1 billion in advertising revenue. More matches created extra commercial inventory, while hydration breaks gave the broadcaster further advertising windows during games.
FIFA now has an opening to command much more from future American rights sales. ESPN and NBC are expected to bid for the 2030 World Cup, while early talks have reportedly taken place with Netflix about joining the auction.
Netflix already owns United States rights to the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cups, with the second tournament being held in the United States. A men’s World Cup return in 2038 could create another major contest between traditional networks and streaming services.
Hosting rules open a path to 2038
No country has staged two men’s World Cups within 12 years, but FIFA’s rotation policy would permit a North American bid. The official FIFA hosting announcement confirms that Morocco, Portugal and Spain will lead the 2030 tournament, with matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, before Saudi Arabia hosts in 2034.
Those choices cover the African Football Confederation, Union of European Football Associations, South American Football Confederation and Asian Football Confederation regions. That leaves North America and Oceania able to enter the 2038 race under the current policy.
The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football is understood to have concerns about another United States-led event, preferring opportunities for other members. Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mexico were added to the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid, so a shared men’s proposal could also be discussed.
Donald Trump, however, has made his preference for sole hosting clear. “Based on the numbers we will be requesting it again immediately,” Donald Trump told Fox News.
FIFA timeline could favour an early decision
FIFA has not announced when bidding for 2038 will open, though recent history shows that the governing body can act rapidly. The 2034 process opened in October 2024, and Gianni Infantino announced Saudi Arabia as host 25 days later before FIFA’s members formally approved the choice.
Gianni Infantino is expected to secure another term at the next FIFA Congress in Morocco, placing the 2038 process among the next major decisions facing FIFA. Donald Trump is scheduled to leave office in January 2029 unless the United States Constitution changes, which may give both sides a clear political deadline.
The case for a return rests on money, market demand and an available route through FIFA’s rules. With American crowds filling stadiums and broadcasters preparing for future auctions, a 2038 World Cup in the United States is no longer a distant idea.
