Donald Trump has openly discussed the possibility of the 2038 World Cup returning to the United States, stating, "We have to do this again and we have to do it while I’m around, you hear that Gianni?" This remark came during a Fox News interview leading up to the World Cup final.

The idea of an American bid has been circulating among global football administrators, especially considering the U.S.'s enthusiasm for major sporting events. FIFA has been subtly encouraging a U.S. bid, as highlighted in a recent meeting at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Gianni Infantino, FIFA's president, shared that revenue projections for the current four-year cycle have surged from $11 billion (£8.2 billion) to $15 billion, largely due to significant increases in ticketing and hospitality revenue.

Key points include:

• $5 billion in ticketing and hospitality sales in the U.S., surpassing the World Cup's TV rights for the first time.
• Fox Sports secured the U.S. English-language TV rights for $485 million for 2026 without a bidding process, which many consider a lost opportunity for FIFA.
• ESPN and NBC are expected to bid for the 2030 tournament, while Netflix has shown interest in future rights, signaling a booming market for football in the U.S.

While FIFA's statutes allow for a U.S. bid for 2038, there are concerns within Concacaf about granting the U.S. another hosting opportunity. Countries like Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Mexico are also part of the 2031 Women’s World Cup bid, hinting at potential joint endeavors.

FIFA's timeline for opening the 2038 bidding process remains unclear, but past experiences suggest it could unfold rapidly. As Infantino is set to be re-elected in 2024, all eyes will be on the upcoming contest for the 2038 World Cup.