US President Donald Trump is so pleased with this World Cup that he wants the US to host another one – but this time without Canada and Mexico sharing the spotlight.
Speaking at a FIFA World Cup reception on Friday, ahead of Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina, Trump called on the confederation to bring the major sporting event back to the United States.
“You have to choose America again,” the president said at a reception in New York’s Trump Tower. “This time we will leave Canada and Mexico.”
Trump then said FIFA should “pick someone else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and anger out of everybody.”
The next Men’s World Cup up for bid is the 2038 tournament.
FIFA has awarded the 2030 World Cup to a six-nation arrangement that includes Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host in 2034.
Trump also revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino suggested the United States and China host the World Cup together, and quipped that the players “will have a nice short trip between games.”
World Cup bidding processit starts years earlier – and the competition to host 2038 could be intense – even with Trump’s attempt to influence FIFA. Areas that have recently invited must cooperate, but countries from North America and Oceania will all be eligible to bid that year.
The president has not shied away from getting involved in the stories of the World Cup. During the president’s remarks, he admitted calling Infantino to ask for a review after U.S. forward Folarin Balogun received a red card in the U.S.’s win over Bosnia and Herzegovina — a decision that would have resulted in an automatic one-match suspension. FIFA later lifted the ban, allowing Balogun to play against Belgium – an unusual move that sparked worldwide criticism.
At the Trump Tower reception, the president praised Infantino for his involvement in the event.
“You’ve made another good decision,” Trump said, as the FIFA chief stood by him. “You’ll never get credit for that.”
