Fifa is considering expanding the men's World Cup format to 64 teams as early as 2030, with the next bidding process set to take place for the 2038 tournament. The US could be in the running to host the 2038 World Cup, with Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, expressing confidence in the country's ability to handle a larger tournament.
Giuliani made his comments in the context of the ongoing 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US has invested heavily in preparing for the tournament, with 78 of the 104 matches being played on home soil.
However, the US has faced controversy during the World Cup, including criticism of an increase in travel costs and a 'travel advisory' issued by over 120 organisations due to the Trump administration's immigration policies. Members of Iran's backroom staff were also denied entry visas, forcing them to switch their base from Arizona to Tijuana in Mexico.
Despite these challenges, Giuliani is optimistic about the US's ability to host the World Cup again, citing the country's 'incredible infrastructure' and welcoming nature. He has spoken to US President Donald Trump about America's hosting prospects, and believes that the US has a strong chance of being selected to host the 2038 tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while the 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia. The 2038 World Cup bidding process is set to take place in the near future, with the US potentially emerging as a strong contender.