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The United States could bid to host the 2038 FIFA World Cup despite already staging two editions of the tournament within a 44-year period, after the White House confirmed that discussions have taken place about pursuing the next available hosting opportunity.

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House's World Cup Task Force, revealed that he has spoken with US President Donald Trump about the possibility of bringing the tournament back to the United States. The comments come while the US is co-hosting the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, with 78 of the tournament's 104 matches, including the final, taking place on American soil.

The prospect of another World Cup in the United States has prompted mixed reactions among supporters, particularly with several traditional football nations still waiting decades for another opportunity to host the tournament.

White House confirms interest in 2038 World Cup
The 2038 edition is the next men's World Cup for which FIFA will conduct a formal bidding process. The hosts for the next two tournaments have already been confirmed, with Spain, Portugal and Morocco staging the 2030 edition, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening three matches to mark the competition's centenary. Saudi Arabia will then host the 2034 World Cup.

Speaking to the Press Association and BBC Sport, Giuliani said the United States is well placed to host another tournament because of its existing infrastructure and stadium network, explaining that discussions have already taken place at the highest level of government.


"This is what I've spoken about with President Trump, with so many of our cabinet secretaries," he said, adding that he believes "there's no better country that's positioned to host a World Cup than the United States," a view he suggested is reflected in fan engagement online.

Giuliani pointed to the experience of supporters currently visiting the country, noting that "all the fans that may be interacting with the US for the first time, or the first time in a long time" are seeing that "the US truly is extremely welcoming" and benefits from "such incredible infrastructure."

He also highlighted the financial and logistical advantages of hosting in the United States, stating: "We have the stadiums built, so for the US, compared to other host nations where it costs tens and tens of billions of dollars, you know, it cost us a couple of billion."




Looking ahead to the potential expansion of the tournament, Giuliani added: "When you think that this World Cup may at some point expand to 64 teams, I think the United States can handle it."

However, he stressed that the immediate focus remains on the current competition, saying: "Look, let me make sure we get through this World Cup on July 19 before we make our pitch for 2038 or other ones," before reflecting on the personal significance of a future bid, describing how it would be "nothing more gratifying as somebody who went to a couple of World Cup matches as an eight-year-old in 1994 to be able to see this come back to the United States again in the coming decades."

He also added that the current tournament has reinforced global enthusiasm for the country, saying: "It's so wonderful to see the world's love affair with the United States of America over our 250th birthday. It's been very gratifying."


Why another US World Cup would be significant
The United States first hosted the men's World Cup in 1994 before becoming one of the three co-hosts of the expanded 48-team tournament in 2026.

If the country were awarded the 2038 edition, it would mean hosting three World Cups within a span of 44 years.

The possibility comes as FIFA continues to explore further expansion of the competition. The governing body has already increased the field from 32 to 48 teams for the current tournament, while discussions have also taken place over expanding the finals to 64 teams as early as the 2030 edition.


Giuliani argued that the United States already possesses the stadiums, transport infrastructure and operational experience to accommodate a tournament of that scale without requiring the level of investment seen in many previous host nations.

Fans question another tournament in the United States
The proposal has also generated criticism from sections of the football community, with many supporters questioning whether the World Cup should return to the United States so soon after the current tournament.

Several fans pointed out that England has not hosted the men's World Cup since 1966, while the Netherlands has never staged the competition despite reaching three finals.

One supporter wrote: "No way should this be allowed. That would be 3 World Cups hosted since England last did."

Another added: "Oh, please, we don't want that, make it happen somewhere else apart from USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand."

Others criticised the prospect because of broadcasting schedules and the commercial structure surrounding matches. One fan commented: "Would be an absolute joke if USA got another World Cup so soon. Plenty of other countries it should go to before them again. There needs to be a rule whereby there needs to be a certain number of years before the same country can host again."

Another sarcastically wrote: "Great idea, maybe they could have 4 hydration breaks every half to boost commercial sales?", while another added: "No thanks. They've ruined it with their advertising breaks."

Tournament continues amid wider debate
The discussion arrives while the United States continues to host the majority of matches during the 2026 tournament.

The competition has also been accompanied by wider debate over travel costs, immigration policies and logistics. Earlier this year, more than 120 organisations issued a travel advisory urging visitors to exercise caution because of concerns over immigration enforcement, while members of Iran's backroom staff were denied entry visas and were forced to relocate their World Cup base from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico.

No timetable has yet been announced for FIFA's formal bidding process for the 2038 World Cup, but Giuliani's comments represent the clearest indication yet that the United States is seriously considering another attempt to host football's biggest tournament.