FIFA World Cup '26: News & Analysis

A better question is whether the US's reputation will have recovered by then?

And are we likely to see a similar kind of shit show for the '28 Olympics?

 

Let's see. Was the USA involved in a unnecessary and possibly illegal war against a middle-Eastern country 24 years ago?

Also if the USA is not a desirable host, what makes you think Canada and/or Mexico will be capable of hosting a World Cup in 24 years?

Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China (2038?) are just bastions of freedom and human rights.

 

So will infantino - but those "shithole" nations who hold the majority of the votes...you think they'll forget and forgive? Reminder that it took adding Canada and Mexico to win 2026 or Morocco was winning this.

You're welcome

 

He cares to tweet about the Iranian MNT, this tells me he cares about the WC. For the sake of a few hundred million dollars that are going to go in his pocket, he should stop the war now!

 

Only if California is still part of the United States in 2 years.

 

And yet neither Russia nor Qatar banned the fans of any competing nation. Nor did they "pressure" any competing nation to withdraw from the finals. At the very least, we have an unprecedented situation on our hands here, aided and abetted by Infantino kissing Trump's ass at every available opportunity.

 

Yet you'll never recognize that Qatar and Saudi Arabia's regime are supported by the United States

 

I think he'll be gone soon, maybe not run for reelection - FIFA will feel the increasing pressure to get rid of him.

 

It's a rhetorical question, I guess, but what happened to those ethics complaints that were made against Infantino?

 

Yeah, not only did Russia not ban foreign fans, but they were very accommodating. The most hassle-free WC experience I've been to.
Easy and free visas that remained active for 12-18 months after the WC ended for those that wanted to return; free public transportation, including on overnight "sleeper" trains; free fanfests in every host city; reasonably priced match tickets and hotels (at least in the cities I visited).

I wouldn't want to live in Russia but it was a great WC-host country.

 

Exact same with Qatar

 

This is Infantino's FIFA. Anything can happen.

 

But it's done by fed not country.

I don't think the current UK government would want to host a WC based on FIFA's terms.

 

Agreed. Hopefully past FIFA bidding processes should have imprinted that on their memory. The idea of the UK nations/FAs toadying up to Infantino's FIFA is just... nauseous. They have actually been rational about this in the last decade: hosting a large part of Euro '20, Women's Euro '21 and Euro '28 in conjunction with Ireland.

 

On the one hand, 2038 would be so premature for North America.
But on the other hand, I see not so much countries able to host and invest for a FIFA World Cup.
So wait and see.

 

I thought that Infantino was up for re-election next year. This goes to the full FIFA Congress. Surely there is zero chance he wins now that he is tied to so closely to Trump and his war?

FIFA can change its rules as it likes. I expect South America to be eligible for 2038 as 3 matches in 2030 can be ignored if appropriate. Brazil could host again, possibly with some matches in neighbours, most obviously Argentina. It is hard to see any future South American tournament that doesn't include Brazil because of the number of modern stadia required.

I don't think the UK hosting the Women's World Cup in 2035 makes much difference but I don't see Europe getting 2038 because 2030 is mostly a European tournament. I expect the UK to bid for 2042 but even the bid for that is so far away that we can't predict what the sporting and political globe will look like.

If this war drags on as I fear it will then the USA will not be hosting again for a long time.

 

I wrote to US Insiders to double check if application went through since I didn't get a confirmation email and they sent a follow up to apply after I applied... Here's the response

"For this application, a confirmation email is not sent after submission. Instead, a confirmation message appears on your screen once the application has been successfully submitted.

If you saw that confirmation screen after submitting your application, you are all set and no further action is needed.

Selected applicants will be notified in late March and will receive a dedicated purchase link via the email address associated with their U.S. Soccer Insiders account."

 

My prediction about the next FIFA World Cups:
2038: South America
2042: Europe
2046: North America
2050: Africa
2054: Asia
...