USA Eyes 2038 World Cup as Fifa’s Revenue Surges to $15bn
The United States could host the World Cup again in 2038 after a hugely profitable 2026 tournament left Fifa hungry for a swift return, according to reporting by The Guardian.
At a meeting held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on Saturday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino told representatives of the governing body’s 211 member associations that revenue projections for the current four-year cycle have jumped from $11bn to $15bn. The bulk of that increase has been driven by what The Guardian describes as an “explosion” in ticketing and hospitality income, which has now surpassed $5bn — making it worth more than the tournament’s TV rights for the first time.
That milestone has put the TV side of the business firmly in the spotlight. Fox Sports acquired English-language US rights for the 2026 tournament without any competitive bidding process, paying $485m — the same figure as for Qatar 2022 — despite the event featuring 40 additional matches and taking place on American soil. With bumper viewing figures, industry analysts expect Fox to generate more than $1bn in TV advertising revenue from the tournament, leaving many at Fifa feeling they left significant money on the table.
To ensure that doesn’t happen again, Fifa is understood to be keen on opening up a proper auction for future rights. ESPN and NBC are expected to bid for the 2030 World Cup, and early-stage conversations have reportedly taken place with Netflix, which has already secured US rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031.
A return to the US in 2038 appears financially logical from Fifa’s perspective, and US president Donald Trump has made little secret of his enthusiasm, telling Fox News: “Based on the numbers we will be requesting it again immediately.”
Under Fifa’s confederation rotation policy, a North American bid for 2038 is permitted — particularly with the 2030 tournament spread across six countries and three continents, and Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 host. However, the North American confederation Concacaf is reported to have reservations, preferring to share hosting opportunities among its wider membership. A joint bid involving other Concacaf nations remains a possibility.
For UK bettors tracking the tournament’s trajectory, the commercial story here is significant — it signals that the World Cup is becoming an increasingly premium product. Keep an eye on our World Cup 2026 hub for ongoing coverage, and check the live standings for the latest from the competition itself.