US President Trump Proposes Hosting Another FIFA World Cup Without Canada and Mexico
Donald Trump suggests a joint USA-China bid for the next World Cup, highlighting implications for transatlantic sports and business markets.
US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his intention for the United States to host another FIFA World Cup, this time excluding Canada and Mexico from the joint hosting arrangement set for 2026. Speaking at a press conference in New York, Trump emphasized that the next tournament hosted by the US could come with China as a co-host, marking a significant shift in global sports partnerships.
Implications for UK and European Markets
During the briefing, Trump stated, "Next time you should choose the USA again. This time, we are prepared to host the World Cup without Canada and Mexico. Previously, I was very generous allowing them to join. Now, let's do it without them and invite someone else." This statement points to a reconfiguration of international sports collaboration that could impact British and European interests, particularly in how FIFA tournaments influence financial markets and international relations.
The inclusion of China as a potential co-host introduces new dynamics in global sports diplomacy. For London, a major international financial center, this could affect investment patterns, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting rights related to football events. The sterling could see volatility as financial markets adjust to the evolving US-China sports cooperation and the exclusion of Canada and Mexico, both key US trading partners and close allies of the UK within broader transatlantic relations.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino endorsed the idea of hosting the next World Cup between the USA and China, noting that players would benefit from shorter flights between games. This new approach might also influence European football federations and businesses that have traditionally operated within established World Cup hosting frameworks.
"Without the US, this World Cup would not have been such an incredible success," said Infantino, underscoring the pivotal role of American markets in global football.
Trump hailed the 2026 World Cup — hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico — as "the greatest World Cup of all time," and praised the event's success in boosting US interest in football, a sport historically less popular in the country. This growing enthusiasm could enhance the US market’s influence on football-related global commerce, including sponsorship and media rights that heavily involve European companies.
The potential exclusion of Canada and Mexico from future tournaments also raises questions about the economic impact on North American markets and their interactions with UK and European investors involved in sports marketing and infrastructure development.
Additionally, Trump thanked Infantino for overturning the suspension of US player Folarin Balogun, a decision that drew global attention. This move underlines the political and commercial sensitivities intertwined with international football governance, which closely affect stakeholders across Europe, where Balogun plays professionally.
Looking ahead, Trump is expected to attend the final match of the 2026 World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, where Argentina will face Spain. Following the match, he will have the honor of presenting the championship trophy, symbolizing the US’s prominent role in the sport’s global landscape.
The future World Cups are already mapped out for 2030 and 2034, hosted by Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia respectively. The next open bidding window for hosting rights after 2034 is 2038, where the US may again contend, potentially reshaping international collaborations in sport and business.
