Former President Donald Trump has expressed interest in the United States hosting another men’s FIFA World Cup, despite the next two tournaments being already allocated to other countries. Trump appeared at the recent World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where he was met with boos from the crowd, but reiterated his intention to pursue future hosting rights. “We will be requesting it again immediately,” he said, also suggesting that any future tournament in the U.S. would exclude Canada and Mexico, countries which are currently part of the 2026 World Cup hosting arrangement.
The next possible opportunity for the U.S. to host a men’s World Cup is not until 2038, but the country is set to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. Additionally, there are discussions about the U.S. hosting the 2029 Club World Cup.
However, there are multiple arguments against the United States hosting another major FIFA tournament without significant changes. Critics point to moral concerns regarding the alignment of American policies with the values that international sporting events like the World Cup are meant to embody. The U.S. has been involved in recent military conflicts, including a strike on a school in Iran that killed 168 people, mostly children, an incident some observers have labeled a potential war crime. This contrasts with past host nations such as Russia and Qatar, who did not hold the tournament during times of active conflict with other participating countries.
Issues related to fairness and geopolitical tensions also surfaced during the tournament. Iran’s national team, for example, faced difficulties regarding travel to and from the United States, with its star striker Mehdi Taremi calling the tournament "a disaster." The situation raised concerns about potential political interference overshadowing the sporting event. Notably, Folarin Balogun, a forward for the U.S. team, had his suspension lifted shortly after Trump reportedly contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This move was criticized as an example of governmental interference overriding sporting merit, undermining FIFA’s principles of fair play.
Financial and logistical challenges have also been cited. While hosting the World Cup can provide economic boosts, critics argue that the broader actions of the U.S. government in trade policies and foreign relations have negatively impacted global economies, complicating the nation’s role as an international sports host. The polarization and policies of the Trump administration, in particular, stand at odds with the diversity and inclusiveness traditionally celebrated by the World Cup.
Despite these concerns, Trump’s interest signals ongoing ambition to position the United States as a future World Cup venue. Nevertheless, any forthcoming bids would need to address criticisms relating to morality, fairness, and international perception if the country is to be considered a suitable host for such a globally significant event.