Trump Proposes Hosting Future FIFA World Cup in US Without Canada and Mexico

US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his intention for the United States to host another FIFA World Cup. Speaking at a press conference in New York on July 18, Trump proposed that the next edition of the tournament held in the US should exclude Canada and Mexico, countries that co-hosted the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States.

"Next time you should pick the US again," Trump said. "This time, we're ready to host without Canada and Mexico. Previously, I was very generous and allowed them to join. Now, let's do it without them, pick ourselves, and next time invite someone else." The US President indicated a more unilateral hosting approach for future tournaments.

Potential US-China Co-Hosting and FIFA Support

Trump also revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already endorsed the idea of a joint US-China World Cup. "Players will have short flights between games, I think they'll like that," Trump commented, highlighting logistical advantages for teams.

"Without you, this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success," Infantino said, praising Trump’s role in the 2026 event.

Infantino, present at the briefing, described the 2026 World Cup as "the greatest World Cup of all time." He credited Trump’s involvement as a key factor in the tournament’s success. Trump reciprocated by calling the event "the most successful sporting event, possibly in the history of mankind," challenging previous notions about the US’s status as a football nation.

In addition, Trump thanked Infantino for the recent reversal of the suspension of US national team player Folarin Balogun, a decision that had drawn significant international criticism. "You made an excellent, excellent, excellent decision," Trump remarked.

The President is expected to attend the 2026 World Cup final hosted at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Argentina and Spain will compete on July 19. Following the match, Trump is scheduled to present the championship trophy to the winning team.

Future World Cup Host Countries and US Prospects

The 2030 FIFA World Cup is set to be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with additional games played in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. The 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia. The next available slot for bidding to host the World Cup, which the US could pursue, is for the 2038 event.

Trump’s remarks signal a strategic intent for the United States to assert greater control over hosting future World Cups, potentially reshaping the global football hosting landscape.