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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino hold the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy before handing over to captain Rodri #16 of Spain at the award ceremony following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
The dust hasn’t quite settled on the FIFA World Cup 2026, and there is already talk about the next edition hitting North America.
Even if the date timeframe may not clear, a surprising AI-model believes it could happen much sooner than expected.
A study conducted by the folks at Bovada used its proprietary AI model to look at the next 191 FIFA World Cup tournaments, spanning a range from 2030 to 2052. The model considers the following criteria:
FIFA hosting rotation rules
- Population growth
- Climate projection
- Economic development
- Football infrastructure
Based on those criteria, the model predicted the following results:
- The US is forecast to host or co-host 14 World Cups between 2030 and 2502, more than any other nation, according to the model.
- Mexico and Canada follow closely with 13 tournaments each, while Brazil and Argentina right behind.
- Brazil and Argentina round out the top five with 12 tournaments each, reflecting football’s deep roots and enduring infrastructure across South America.
The study offers this highly valuable insight, showcasing that the USA would be a logical choice as a regular FIFA World Cup host nation.
“The model suggests the United States could be back on hosting duty as early as 2038. Under FIFA’s current continental rotation system, North America hosted the 2026 tournament, with Europe, Africa and Asia set to host in 2030, 2034 and beyond. This leaves only CONCACAF and Oceania eligible for 2038, with the scale of the expanded 48-team tournament making a standalone Oceania bid less likely.
Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, continued investment in sporting infrastructure and growing support for future bids could further strengthen America’s position as the tournament’s most frequent future host.”
The USA Could Become a Regular FIFA World Cup Host
The idea of the United States hosting another FIFA World Cup just 12 years after the 2026 tournament might sound ridiculous.
But it may not be as far-fetched as it initially appears.
The Bovada AI model projects that the USA could return as a host as early as 2038, partly because of the country’s existing infrastructure and the sheer scale of its sports market. The expanded 48-team tournament also makes the United States particularly attractive because it already has the stadiums, transportation networks and commercial infrastructure required to stage such a massive like the FIFA World Cup.
There is also the question of geography.
With Europe, Africa and Asia potentially taking their turns in the years immediately following 2026, the number of realistic candidates for 2038 could become relatively small.
That could put the USA in an unexpectedly strong position.
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Being Host Nation Could Become a Strength for the USA
The bigger takeaway is that the USA may have positioned itself to become one of FIFA’s most reliable hosting options.
The 2026 tournament is already providing a massive infrastructure and organizational foundation. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could further strengthen that position, giving the country another major international sporting event to build experience around.
The Bovada model goes even further, projecting that the United States could host or co-host 14 FIFA World Cup tournaments between 2030 and 2502, more than any other country.
Evidently, predictions stretching centuries into the future should be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.
But the underlying argument makes sense.
The USA has the population, economy, stadium infrastructure and growing football market to host the FIFA World Cup repeatedly.
So while 2038 may seem surprisingly soon, it may ultimately prove to be less of a shock than it sounds.
The FIFA World Cup could be back in America before many fans expect.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL and NFL analyst and baseball writer focused on covering clubs across each league with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. Nestor’s fondness for baseball, football, and hockey set the tone for his love and passion for writing about sports. More about Nestor Quixtan
