In the aftermath of the recent North American World Cup, former US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his strong interest in seeing the United States serve as the sole host for a future iteration of the global football spectacle, omitting its current co-hosts, Canada and Mexico. This declaration was made during a reception in New York, just before the final match of the tournament. His remarks underscore a perceived preference for an exclusive American staging of the event, despite the collaborative nature of the current World Cup, where the US managed a substantial majority of the games, including all knockout stage contests from the quarterfinals onwards. This ambition is further highlighted by his revelation of preliminary discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the possibility of a unique joint hosting venture between the US and China.
During a New York reception held in anticipation of Sunday's World Cup final, the former American leader advocated for the nation to once again be chosen as a World Cup host. However, this time, his vision specifically excluded Canada and Mexico from participation. This current North American tournament saw the United States manage an overwhelming 78 out of 104 matches, encompassing every game from the quarterfinal stage through to the conclusion, demonstrating the country's extensive capacity for hosting such a large-scale event.
Looking ahead, the 2038 World Cup remains without a designated host nation. While a mere twelve-year gap between hosting duties would be an unusually rapid turnaround for any country, FIFA's recent decisions regarding the 2030 and 2034 tournaments have inadvertently created a scenario where such a possibility becomes more plausible. The upcoming 100th-anniversary 2030 World Cup is slated to be shared across three continents – Africa (Morocco), Europe (Spain and Portugal), and South America (Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay). Following this, the 2034 World Cup is set for Saudi Arabia in Asia. Under FIFA's current rotational hosting regulations, this leaves only North America and Oceania as eligible contenders for the 2038 event, potentially opening the door for the US to bid again.
The former president also mentioned that FIFA's top official, Gianni Infantino, had initiated discussions with him regarding a potential future arrangement where the United States and China might collaboratively host a World Cup. Furthermore, Trump, who was scheduled to attend the final match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, had previously intervened in the tournament's narrative. Reports indicated that he contacted Infantino concerning a red card issued to US forward Folarin Balogun during the team's round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, reportedly inquiring about the possibility of reversing the decision. Although FIFA did controversially lift Balogun's one-match suspension, the US team ultimately suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, once again failing to advance beyond the quarterfinals, a feat not achieved since 2002. Trump commended Infantino for the decision, acknowledging that such actions often go unrecognized.
The former US President's expressed desire for the United States to host another World Cup, ideally as the sole host, reflects a strong nationalistic sentiment towards major international events. His interactions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, including discussions about potential future co-hosting with China and his involvement in a controversial player suspension decision, highlight his continued engagement with global sports politics. These statements and actions position the US as a potential central figure in future World Cup bids, possibly influencing the rotational dynamics of FIFA's hosting selections for upcoming tournaments like the 2038 event.
