Trump: US Will Apply to Host Next Available World Cup ‘Immediately’
Trump says the US will “immediately” apply to host the next available World Cup after the 2026 co-host run. FIFA rotation rules point to 2038 as the earliest realistic window.
President Donald Trump says the United States will move fast to host another World Cup, telling Fox Sports ahead of Sunday’s final that the country will be requesting the tournament again “immediately” on the back of the 2026 co-host run.
What Trump actually said
Trump confirmed the United States will “immediately” apply to host the next available World Cup on the back of a successful run as co-host this summer.
“But based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately. But I said to take out the shock, you could announce us and maybe then for the next one another, and even another. But we have to do this again, and we have to do it while I’m around.”
The FIFA math is not in his favor
The 2030 edition will take place in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, following opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the tournament’s centenary, while the 2034 tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA rules mean confederations that hosted the World Cup cannot be involved in the next two tournaments. The 2026 tournament was in Concacaf, while 2030 is split across Africa, Europe and South America. As a result, 2034 was restricted to Asia or Oceania, with Saudi Arabia chosen. The US would then be free to apply to host the 2038 World Cup, when bids from countries in Oceania will also be considered.
No country has ever hosted two World Cups in 12 years.
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Why the market cares
Hosting rights drive multi-year capex into stadiums, transport, hospitality and broadcasting. A confirmed US bid, even one that lands in 2038, gives sponsors, broadcasters and travel operators a long runway to price in the tailwind.
Trump made the comments ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, July 19, lauding the tournament that saw millions of people flock to the US, Canada and Mexico. That footfall is the number sponsors and networks will be modeling against.
Options market and stocks to watch
FOX: Fox Sports carried the final and the Trump pre-match interview. Watch for continued World Cup ad monetization and any read-through to future US rights cycles.
DIS: ESPN remains a core rights bidder for global soccer. A US bid narrative supports the domestic rights story.
NKE and ADDYY: Kit and boot demand tracks tournament cycles. Watch for commentary on World Cup pull-through in upcoming quarters.
MANU: Publicly traded football exposure. Sentiment proxy for the sport in US markets.
ABNB and BKNG: Travel and lodging booked heavy volume during 2026. Watch for management color on host-market demand.
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